Summer 2018 A publication of The Urantia Book Fellowship We at The Urantia Book Fellowship hope you are enjoying this issue of the Fellowship Herald. We certainly enjoy gathering and presenting these articles, and we feel it is important for our readers to hear and feel the thoughts and emotions of some our best minds. In the past several years our membership has begun to spread rapidly, as The Urantia Book is able to reach out to new readers around the world. We have had a great deal of success with our Pipeline of Light program of sending books to those who request them. We do this at our own expense so that those who have not been able to afford the book need not be forgot- ten. This is our response to a need presented in the 1990s by people from Estonia, Mexico, and Chile. In one instance 100 sincere revelation students were sharing just one Spanish Urantia Book. In the first quarter of 2018 the Pipeline placed 456 copies of The Urantia Book into seven countries. With a ready supply of affordable translations from Urantia Foundation and donations to the Pipeline books were given to readers and study groups in Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, the United States, Peru, Australia, and Columbia. Books sent out this quarter include 428 Spanish translations and 28 English books. Current efforts bring the Pipeline grand totals to 8,309 copies placed into 90 countries around the world. For three decades the Fellowship’s Outreach Committee has been very active in many ways. Concentrating especially in the U. S., this committee sends volunteers to book fairs, college campuses, and other venues to present The Urantia Book to many people who have never heard of the book. These people who come from all walks of life can also receive a free Urantia Book on request by filling out a card provided by the Fellowship representative. Now through a new pro- gram the Outreach committee is sponsoring a prison book program. The response in this area is encouraging. To keep all our readers informed of Fellowship community building activities, the Publica- tions Committee produces three different types of communications, a monthly online newsletter, the Mini Messenger; a printed twice annual Mighty Messenger with news of upcoming events; and the Fellowship Herald, featuring the best thought and insights of individuals who have been inspired by the revelation. In addition to ‘outreach’ the Fellowship also provides ‘inreach’ through our extensive and beautiful website, www.urantiabook.org. Here a reader can delve into the stories and history of the revelation, read more than 20 years of the articles in the Herald, keep abreast of all upcoming activities, study the revelation in a choice of many languages, and many more activities. These are only some of the projects engaging the members of the Fellowship for over 60 years, but costs, needs, and opportunities have continued to increase. You have helped us to do wonderful things in the past, but there is so much more to do, that we must do, to bring the revelation to the world. Henry Ward Beecher wrote the following: “A house without books is like a room without windows.” Please help us to “open windows” for new readers around the world. To donate to the Fellowship. Call us at 1-877-288-3772 or drop a check in the mail to: The Urantia Book Fellowship PO Box 611, Broomfield, C0 80021 Or go online to www.urantiabook.org and choose ‘donate’ from the main center navigation bar. Thank you. We deeply appreciate your loving support and service! Contents

Survival of the Subnormal Mind ...... 2 By Rick Lyon, South Bend, IN

The Soul Synthesis Hypothesis ...... 9 By Byron Belitsos, San Rafael, CA

I, Brother - The Urantia Papers and Issues of Race...... 11 By DJ Marshall, Ft . Wayne, IN

A Tale of Two Men...... 14 By Linda Buselli, Carmel, IN

Akhenaten...... 17 By Derek Samaras, Denver, CO

The New Teachers/Leaders ...... 21 By Preston Thomas, Earlysville, VA

Unsinkable and Unbreakable ...... 29 By James Perry, MD, Raleigh, NC

The Supreme Being in My Life ...... 30 By Yvon Gagne: Translated from the French by Matthew Block

The Eden-Atlantis Project ...... 33 By Commodore Robert Stanley Bates, United States Merchant Marine

Publications Committee Chair: Linda Buselli, Editor, Summer 2017 Issue: Linda Buselli Members: Andrea Barnes, Avi Dogim, Cece Forrester, Sage Waitts • Design & Layout: Sage Waitts • Banner Design: Courtesy of Nick Curto and Colleen • Published annu- ally by Uversa Press, a subsidiary of The Urantia Book Fellowship, P.O. Box 6631, Broomfield, CO 80021 USA. Tel: 877.288.3772 Fax: 847.251.2490 Email: [email protected] www.urantiabook.org Unless otherwise noted quotations are from The Urantia Book. References are given as follows: Brackets [ ] indicate paper, sec- tion, and paragraph. Parentheses give page number of single column edition.

Please note that the views expressed in this publication represent the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of The Urantia Book Fellowship or the editors of The Fellowship Herald. Survival of the Subnormal Mind

By Rick Lyon, South Bend, IN things trying to make his life as “normal” as we could. When Brad became physically bigger and stronger than This article was first published in the UAI Journal, in his mother, we were forced to do something we did not April, 2012. want to do. Make not the Brad had problems even before he was born, and when mistake of estimating the happy day came it was soon apparent that his problems the soul’s worth by were just beginning. His first month of life was filled with the imperfections of episodes of projectile vomiting and no dirty diapers. The the mind or by the doctors said that it was just the formula so try something appetites of the body . different. We did—several times. Breastfeeding was totally Judge not the soul nor out of vogue at that time so it wasn’t even considered. The evaluate its destiny by young inexperienced mother finally threw a screaming the standard of a single temper tantrum in the doctor’s office. The result was the unfortunate human discovery of an intestinal blockage called pyloric stenosis. episode . Your spiritual This required surgery to correct. Brad had not taken in any destiny is conditioned nourishment and little liquid during the first 30 days of his only by your spiritual life. longings and purposes . All seemed well after that. Of course, he was late on [156:5.9] (P. 1739:4) his childhood milestones because he had a rough start—at This article has taken me a few years to write. During least that is what everyone told us. We heard all the that time a lot has changed. My thinking about this topic comforting excuses and made up some of our own. At age has evolved and the reason for writing it took on greater 2, he was diagnosed as autistic and moderately to severely significance. I finished this article several times but I was mentally retarded. With the diagnosis came some relief to never convinced of the very thing I was trying to prove or finally know what was wrong with our son, but the guilt disprove—until now. and anger came next. His mom continues to blame herself Does a person who does not have a normal mind even today. We kept Brad at home until he got so big that survive mortal death? As the father of a mentally his mom was a wreck from the “aggressive behavior” he handicapped son I struggled with this question for many exhibited every day, even when we gave him whatever we years. I suspect that all parents of a mentally handicapped thought he wanted he still had his “behaviors”. child do too. At age 14 when he was physically bigger than his mom, My son, Bradford E. Lyon, was born November 6, 1978, her attempts to control his behaviors and take care of him and passed away were rewarded with bruises and scratches and the fear of September 19, 2010. something worse. Brad went through a period of self-injury 1978 was the same that included biting himself. During a really bad seizure year that I discovered his mom took him to the emergency room. After seeing The Urantia Book. the bite marks on Brad the police were called and she was Even though life with questioned and accused of abusing her son. She nearly went Brad presented its to jail because of the ignorance of the emergency room staff challenges, we loved about autism at that time. him with all our The purpose of this article is to share with you our own heart. We kept him personal growth in understanding these questions. Perhaps at home as long as we we will see how applying The Urantia Book teachings to could and took him our daily life situations can help us to understand them everywhere and did and react to them in a more positive manner. We can put all the typical family the teachings into action and grow and benefit from them.

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 2 I hope this article will bring the peace we have found in experiences. Often there is a benefit to suffering or the The Urantia Book concerning our son to you who have difficulties and disappointments of life. similar circumstances. Let me thank my wife Shelia for her So, why do bad things, or what we perceive as bad help in researching the eulogy for Brad. Shelia supposedly things, happen? From The Urantia Book we are told: “The doesn’t read the book but somehow she sure knows a lot uncertainties of life and the vicissitudes of existence do not in about what it says. Because of her, what I said at Brad’s any manner contradict the concept of the universal sovereignty funeral was greatly improved and what I believed changed of God . All evolutionary creature life is beset by certain too—something good that resulted from something bad. inevitabilities ”. [3:5.5] (P. 51) Just the process of searching the teachings for the right Consider the following: words to say helped me to come to terms with things that I “Is courage—strength of character—desirable? Then must have struggled with for years concerning my son. Of course man be reared in an environment which necessitates grappling there are not enough words to describe the love, loyalty, with hardships and reacting to disappointments . [3:5.6] (P. and courage of Brad’s mom, Deborah. 51:5) Three questions that concerned us as Brad’s parents Is altruism—service of one’s fellows—desirable? Then were: must life experience provide for encountering situations of social Why is Brad the way he is? inequality . [3:5.7] (P. 51:6)] What will happen to Brad if we die? Is hope—the grandeur of trust—desirable? Then human What will happen to Brad when he dies? existence must constantly be confronted with insecurities and The first question, “Why is Brad the way he is?” is recurrent uncertainties . [3:5.8] (P. 51:7) one that all parents of a handicapped child will ask and Is faith—the supreme assertion of human thought— the next one is usually “Why did God let his happen?” A desirable? Then must the mind of man find itself in that few years after Brad was born I once told a friend of mine troublesome predicament where it ever knows less than it can who had a severely handicapped newborn child that first believe . [3:5.9] (P. 51:8) you blame yourself; then you blame your spouse; then you Is pleasure—the satisfaction of happiness—desirable? blame God; and then you finally realize that nobody is to Then must man live in a world where the alternative of pain blame, but you are left with the confusion and frustration and the likelihood of suffering are ever-present experiential of “Why?” The conclusion that I came to was that this is possibilities ”. [3:5.14] (P.51:8) a material life with material bodies and like any material We are also told that the greatest affliction is to have thing on an imperfect world, they sometimes break or go never been afflicted. It is often the bad things in life that bad, or eventually wear out. make us appreciate the good. It is the ugliness in this world Jesus said, “In the matter of sickness and health, you that makes us appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. It is should know that these bodily states are the result of material the potential of evil that gives us the opportunity to choose causes; health is not the smile of heaven, neither is affliction the the good. In the mind of God there is a plan, but as mortals frown of God ”. [166:4.10] (P. 1831:1) on this tiny isolated material world it is nearly impossible The difficulties of Brad’s life were not in any way a for us to comprehend that plan. While at times we may sign of God’s disfavor with him or us. Brad was simply question God’s ways and wonder why things happen the an innocent victim of one of the material accidents of way they do, all we can do is believe and put our faith in time. Such occurrences are not pre-arranged or otherwise God and in the wisdom of his plan, for we know that our produced by the spiritual forces of the realm. Our Father Father loves us unconditionally and he would never do does not cause or send pain and suffering upon us. anything to hurt us. The ways of God are true, beautiful, “The Father causes his rain to fall on the just and the and good. It is the truth, beauty, and goodness instilled in unjust; the sun likewise shines on the righteous and the us by the indwelling spirit that leads us to love our children, unrighteous…” [166:4.4] (P. 1830:4) I think this means our grandchildren, and each other. that bad things happen to good people just as good things Why was Brad the way he was? The simple answer happen to bad people. The situations in life are different is because something went wrong during the material for each person but our lives are made up of both good development of his physical body. Brad’s hardships and and bad events regardless of who we are or what kind of disappointments gave us courage to fight for his happiness person we are. If I have learned anything from my 58 years and well-being. The unfairness of Brad’s situation inspired on this planet it is that good things often come from bad many to serve as caregivers and their service no doubt

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 3 brought them spiritual satisfaction. The uncertainty of his choice that we could perceive) was he unable to receive an survival and the reasons for his problems caused us to have adjuster? Since he could not receive an adjuster was he less faith because we believed more than we knew about Brad’s than human? life and his future. Brad’s pain and suffering caused us to “The survival of mortal creatures is wholly predicated on appreciate our own health and happiness and that of his the evolvement of an immortal soul within the mortal mind ”. sibling and our grandchildren. Caring for Brad made us [36:6.5] (P. 404:3) unselfish as we chose to put his needs above our own. Since I believed that Brad had not received an The second question, “What will happen to Brad if we Adjuster’. I felt that Brad would not survive. However, how die?” is a question concerning the care of Brad while here could I know that Brad never made a moral decision? Brad on Urantia. Since Brad has gone before us this is no longer was kind to others, loved babies, loved us, and would share of concern. However, let me share this quote with you that with others. Maybe Brad’s “problem” was more of a problem I think does relate to Brad’s life here. “The teaching about with my thinking than with Brad himself. guardian angels is not a myth; certain groups of human beings “Mortal mind, prior to death, is self-consciously do actually have personal angels . It was in recognition of this independent of the Adjuster presence; adjutant mind needs only that Jesus, in speaking of the children of the heavenly kingdom, the associated material-energy pattern to enable it to operate ”. said: ‘’Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones, [112:6.7] (P.1236:5) for I say to you, their angels do always behold the presence of So, Brad was mortal even without the Adjuster the spirit of my Father ’’. [113:1.1] (P, 1241:3) presence, and the Adjutant Mind Spirits functioned in him. The conclusion that I came to was that this is a “…The subnormal man should be kept under society’s material life with material bodies and like any material control: no more should be produced than are required to thing on an imperfect world, they sometimes break or go administer the lower levels of industry, those tasks require bad, or eventually wear out. intelligence above the animal level ”. [68:6.11] (P. 770:8) Originally, the seraphim were definitely assigned to the A subnormal man functions at an intelligence level separate Urantia races . But since the bestowal of Michael, they above that of an animal. So, now I believe that Brad was are assigned in accordance with human intelligence, spirituality, not merely an animal in a human body. I always treated and destiny . Intellectually, mankind is divided into three classes: Brad as a person, as my son, and never as anything less [113:1.2] P, 1241:4) than a human. It is strange sometimes, the struggles . . The subnormal minded—those who do not exercise that we inflict upon ourselves through the lack of normal will power; those who do not make average decisions . understanding. This class embraces those who cannot comprehend God; I was confused about when does our time run out to they lack capacity for the intelligent worship of Deity . The make our “final choice”? If a person is incapable of making subnormal beings of Urantia have a corps of seraphim, one an average decision, can they make such an important company, with one battalion of cherubim, assigned to minister decision as choosing to do God’s will rather than their to them and to witness that justice and mercy are extended to own? Must it be made before mortal death? Does a person them in the life struggles of the sphere . [113:1.3] (P. 1241:5) who is not of normal mind have survival potential? My Had Brad outlived his parents, the Guardian Angels opinion was that they did not because they did not receive would have continued to watch over him. a Thought Adjuster. I based this belief on this quote: As for the third question—which is the focus of this “If the finite mind of man is unable to comprehend article, “What will happen to Brad when he dies?” If we how so great and so majestic a God as the Universal Father study things like the planetary nursery and the subnormal can descend from his eternal abode in infinite perfection to minded, perhaps we can find an answer to this. This fraternize with the individual human creature, then must such question always seems to come up in study group at some a finite intellect rest assurance of divine fellowship upon the point because of my son Brad. The more we discuss it, the truth of the fact that an actual fragment of the living God more an answer seems to elude me. I came to believe that I resides within the intellect of every normal-minded and morally finally knew the answer to this question, but now I believe conscious Urantia mortal ”. [5:0.1] (P.62:1) that I was wrong about it. And: “Thereafter all normal-minded will creatures of that Because Brad did not have a normal mind, does that world will receive Adjusters as soon as they attain the age of mean that he was merely an animal and not human? Since moral responsibility, of spiritual choice ”. [52:5.6] (P.596.4)] he could not make a moral choice (or at least a moral Because I read things like this I came to believe that

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 4 Brad did not have survival potential because he was “Eternal survival of personality is wholly dependent on unable to make a choice of anything beyond his immediate the choosing of the mortal mind, whose decisions determine material needs. My confusion grew as Brad passed his the survival potential of the immortal soul . When the mind sixteenth birthday because: “Any time after sixteen, if final believes God and the soul knows God, and when, with the choice has been made, they translate to the first mansion world fostering Adjuster, they all desire God, then is survival assured . and begin their Paradise ascent . Some make a choice before this Limitations of intellect, curtailment of education, deprivation age and go on to the ascension spheres, but very few children of culture, impoverishment of social status, even inferiority of under sixteen years of age, as reckoned by Urantia standards, the human standards of morality resulting from the unfortunate will be found on the mansion worlds ”. [47:2.5] (P. 532:3) lack of educational, cultural, and social advantages, cannot At the time of Brad’s passing, he was 31 years old with invalidate the presence of the divine spirit in such unfortunate the mental age of 2-3 years old. He was an adult body with and humanly handicapped but believing individuals . The a child mind. Does the above quote refer to material age indwelling of the Mystery Monitor constitutes the inception and or mental age? Part of me thought it referred to material insures the possibility of the potential of growth and survival of age because it says ‘’as reckoned by Urantia standards’’. the immortal soul ”. [5:5.13] (P. 69-70) Part of me thought it did not because why would the age This paragraph confused me because on the one hand of the material body have any value to a spiritual decision? survival is dependent upon making a decision, but on the Since Brad was 31 years old, it seemed that the issue was no other hand the limitations of intellect do not “invalidate” longer valid as he was past the age of 16 and had not been the presence of the indwelling adjuster. Children who have not yet received an adjuster do survive. An infant who is not yet capable of making an average decision does survive. Apparently making the final decision about God is not required prior to mortal death. It must be made at some point, before we can leave the mansion worlds but we are given every opportunity to make that choice until the final choice—either way—is made. able to make his choice—but how many normal minded “Though the cosmic circles of personality growth must people over the age of 16 have not made that choice either? eventually be attained, if, through no fault of your own, the Was Brad a child that qualified for the nursery or was accidents of time and the handicaps of material existence he an adult who missed his chance? Is not making a choice prevent your mastering these levels on your native planet, if the same as rejection of God? Maybe this question could your intentions and desires are of survival value, there are help us to understand the situation that faces our loved issued the decrees of probation extension . You will be afforded ones who also don’t make their choice during this mortal additional time in which to prove yourself . [112:5.6] (P.1233:2) life. Do they get the chance to make their choice after “If ever there is doubt as to the advisability of advancing mortal death? When does the time to make our choice run a human identity to the mansion worlds, the universe out? I always treated Brad as a person, as my son, and never governments invariably rule in the personal interests of that as anything less than a human. individual; they unhesitatingly advance such a soul to the status Children who have not yet received an adjuster do of a transitional being, while they continue their observations survive. An infant who is not yet capable of making an of the emerging morontia intent and spiritual purpose . Thus average decision does survive. Apparently making the final divine justice is certain of achievement, and divine mercy decision about God is not required prior to mortal death. is accorded further opportunity for extending its ministry . It must be made at some point, before we can leave the [112:5.7] (P.1233:3) mansion worlds but we are given every opportunity to make “The governments of Orvonton and Nebadon do not claim that choice until the final choice—either way—is made. absolute perfection for the detail working of the universal plan

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 5 of mortal repersonalization, but they do claim to, and actually the guardian of destiny deputizes her associated cherubim as the do, manifest patience, tolerance, understanding, and merciful custodian of the child’s potential identity, charging the cherubim sympathy . We had rather assume the risk of a system rebellion with the responsibility of delivering this undeveloped soul into than to court the hazard of depriving one struggling mortal the hands of the Mansion World Teachers in the probationary from any evolutionary world of the eternal joy of pursuing the nurseries of the morontia worlds ”. [47:2.1] (P. 531:5) ascending career . [112:5.8] (P. 1233:4) I now believe that because of the patience, tolerance, “This does not mean that human beings are to enjoy a understanding, and merciful sympathy of the governing second opportunity in the face of the rejection of a first, not at bodies of Orvonton and Nebadon that Brad will be all . But it does signify that all will creatures are to experience afforded additional time and accorded further opportunity one true opportunity to make one undoubted, self-conscious, in which to make his choice and shall not be deprived of and final choice . The sovereign Judges of the universes will not the eternal joy of pursuing the ascending career. deprive any being of personality status who has not finally and It seems that a lot of effort goes into the education and fully made the eternal choice; the soul of man must and will be training of undeveloped souls in order to promote their given full and ample opportunity to reveal its true intent and spiritual survival. real purpose ”. [112:5.9] (P.1233:5) “It is these same deserted cherubim who, as Mansion I now believe that because of the patience, tolerance, World Teachers, under the supervision of the Melchizedeks, understanding, and merciful sympathy of the governing maintain such extensive educational facilities for the training bodies of Orvonton and Nebadon that Brad will be of the probationary wards of the finaliters . These wards of afforded additional time and accorded further opportunity the finaliters, these infants of ascending mortals, are always in which to make his choice and shall not be deprived of personalized as of their exact physical status at the time of death the eternal joy of pursuing the ascending career. The failure except for reproductive potential . This awakening occurs at the to make a final choice concerning God before mortal death exact time of the parental arrival on the first mansion world . will not prevent Brad’s survival and advancement to the And then are these children given every opportunity, as they mansion worlds. I now believe that the mental handicaps are, to choose the heavenly way just as they would have made that my son had will not prevent him from being given such a choice on the worlds where death so untimely terminated full and ample opportunity to make one undoubted, self- their careers ”. [47:2.2] (P. 531:6)) conscious, and final choice. “On the nursery world, probationary creatures are grouped So, how about the inability to acquire a Thought according to whether or not they have Adjusters, for the Adjuster prior to mortal death? We read in Paper 47 about Adjusters come to indwell these material children just as on the the probationary nursery on mansion world number one: worlds of time . Children of pre-Adjuster ages are cared for in “This probation nursery of Satania is maintained by families of five, ranging in ages from one year and under up to certain morontia personalities on the finaliters’ world, one approximately five years, or that age when the Adjuster arrives . half of the planet being devoted to this work of child rearing . [47:2.3] (P. 532:1) Here are received and reassembled certain children of “All children on the evolving worlds who have Thought surviving mortals, such as those offspring who perished on Adjusters, but who before death had not made a choice the evolutionary worlds before acquiring spiritual status as concerning the Paradise career, are also repersonalized on the individuals . The ascension of either of its natural parents finaliter world of the system, where they likewise grow up in insures that such a mortal child of the realms will be accorded the families of the Material Sons and their associates as do repersonalization on the system finaliter planet and there be those little ones who arrived without Adjusters, but who will permitted to demonstrate by subsequent freewill choice whether subsequently receive the Mystery Monitors after attaining the or not it elects to follow the parental path of mortal ascension… requisite age of moral choice ”. [47:2.4] (P. 532:2) [45:6.7] (P. 516.5) “The guardian seraphim attend these youths in the “The infant-receiving schools of Satania are situated on the probationary nursery on the finaliter world just as they finaliter world, the first of the Jerusem transitionculture spheres . spiritually minister to mortals on the evolutionary planets, while These infant-receiving schools are enterprises devoted to the the faithful spornagia minister to their physical necessities . And nurture and training of the children of time, including those so do these children grow up on the transition world until such who have died on the evolutionary worlds of space before the time as they make their final choice . [47:2.6] (P. 532:4) acquirement of individual status on the universe records . In the “When material life has run its course, if no choice event of the survival of either or both of such a child’s parents, has been made for the ascendant life, or if these children of

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 6 time definitely decide against the Havona adventure, death him or hinder his potential for an eternal spiritual life automatically terminates their probationary careers . There is or in any way prevent his survival and attainment of the no adjudication of such cases; there is no resurrection from presence of God. such a second death . They simply become as though they had I am now convinced that Brad is now sleeping, awaiting not been . [47:2.7] (P, 532:5) for his mom or I to arrive and awaken him on the mansion “But if they choose the Paradise path of perfection, they are immediately made ready for translation to the first mansion The funeral home director told world, where many of them arrive in time to join their parents in the Havona ascent . After passing through Havona and me that, “in 15 years of doing attaining the Deities, these salvaged souls of mortal origin these, that was the best eulogy constitute the permanent ascendant citizenship of Paradise . These children who have been deprived of the valuable and I’ve ever heard.”—all of it straight essential evolutionary experience on the worlds of mortal nativity are not mustered into the Corps of the Finality ”. from the book. [47:2.8] (P. 532:6) world, where perhaps for the first time he will make a clear Does a person of subnormal mind survive mortal and conscious choice about his future. death? Let me point out: subnormal minded people are not I believe that one of the greatest lessons from The animals but are mortals with less intelligent minds who Urantia Book is that “in the mind of God there is a plan” and function on levels higher than animals. that the universe is friendly and everything works for the The first mansion world has a nursery dedicated to the good. It seems that a lot of effort goes into the education pre-choice children of surviving mortals. Infants who have and training of undeveloped souls in order to promote their not yet received a Thought Adjuster have survival potential spiritual survival. and are kept safe in the planetary nursery until a parent While Brad’s passing was painful for us, some good arrives to make decisions concerning their future. has come from it. I did the eulogy for my son because it Thought Adjusters come to indwell the children of the was the last thing I could do for him. Those who know planetary nursery just as they would on this material world. me personally know what a difficult thing it is for me to A corps of seraphim, one company, with one battalion speak in front of people. That eulogy allowed me to share of cherubim, minister to the subnormal children of Urantia teachings from The Urantia Book with family and friends to assure that justice and mercy are extended to the that I have not been able to reach otherwise. I boldly subnormal minded in this material life. quoted the book and mentioned it by name in the eulogy. Mansion World Teachers, under the supervision of the The funeral home director told me that, “in 15 years of Melchizedeks, maintain extensive educational facilities for doing these, that was the best eulogy I’ve ever heard.”—all the training of the probationary wards of the finaliters. of it straight from the book. A couple of weeks later, my two Finaliters, Melchizedeks, Seraphim, cherubim, and sisters showed up at my study group. They came because of surviving parents all are involved in the mortal and post- what I had said at Brad’s funeral. Brad’s mom (Deborah) mortal life of these undeveloped souls. Education and has suffered years of guilt over Brad but the words of The training in infant-receiving schools are provided to prepare Urantia Book washed away this guilt and fear in a way these children of time for the ultimate adventure. A corps that I was not able to help her with before. My wife Shelia of Seraphim and a battalion of cherubim watch over the helped me research the words of the eulogy and revealed mortal life of the subnormal minded. It seems that a lot of that she knows a lot more about the book than I realized. effort is put forth to care for these imperfect children of The guys at work sent flowers for Brad. So I thanked them this imperfect material world. So apparently they must have for their sympathy, I sent an email to about 750 people potential survival value. We see in The Urantia Book that at work that said, “While we are sad at the loss of Brad potential is very important for it is not what we are but and miss him dearly, we are excited for him because we what we are becoming that is important. In this spiritual know that “death is only the beginning of an endless career of universe, I suspect that only real or potential spiritual value adventure, an everlasting life of anticipation, an eternal voyage is worthy of the efforts of angels and spiritual beings. I now of discovery.” [14:5.10] (P. 159) I got about a half dozen nice believe that we are assured that the material difficulties and emails back commenting on this statement. physical imperfections of Brad’s mortal life do not follow The headstone for Brad includes a quote from The

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 7 Urantia Book to further communicate our beliefs and faith be found by searching YouTube for: “Carly Autism Story”. to our family and friends who visit Brad’s gravesite. You will see that Carly, like Brad, was obviously severely This is where my effort to write this article stalled. handicapped. Even though the article was complete in my mind it did not But one day something wonderful happened. Once feel complete in my heart. There seemed to be something again a bad situation caused something good to occur. I missing—either in my article or in my mind. I would revisit will let you discover this for yourself if interested. After this article from time to time— editing and tweaking, watching this video I became totally convinced that my son trying to find the conclusion that so far escaped me. I could is now sleeping in the arms of the angels, safe and happy not figure out why I was reluctant to share it even though it and waiting for me or his mom to come wake him from seemed complete. his slumber. The survival and continuing journey of Brad Then one day Shelia showed me a YouTube video about depends on our survival and we shall not fail him or our a girl named Carly. Carly was almost exactly like Brad in Father. I am now convinced that Brad’s physical difficulties her appearance, mannerisms, and behavior. Carly’s parents do not prevent his eternal survival. I wonder if he is were saying words that could have been direct quotes from dreaming of that day. I know I am. me and Brad’s mom when speaking about Brad. Let me This is the story of my progressive journey concerning back up for a moment to add some more similarity between my son and his eternal future. I struggled for years wavering our situation and that of Carly. between believing that my son would not survive but Several years ago I had the idea of programming a hoping that I was wrong, to being convinced that he has computer so that if Brad touched a key on the keyboard it survived and to be looking forward to monitoring his would say a word. I thought this would be something Brad future growth and progress in service to our Father. I came could learn to use to communicate. But I couldn’t figure from believing that Brad had no potential survival value out how to do it. Sounds simple enough for someone to do to being convinced of that fact and looking forward to the though—if you know how to do computer programming. day when I see him again. I came from feeling somehow You would think there would be an app for that. I then responsible for his handicaps and disappointment that he tried to convince the company that provided for Brad’s would miss the opportunity to experience the ultimate 24/7 care to purchase a talking computer. However, they adventure to knowing that sometime soon he will be able were $30-40,000, which I found hard to believe. Of course I to communicate with a clear functioning mind, a new and could not afford that. The provider couldn’t either and the improved morontia body, and once again enjoy the loving state would not approve it because the behavior specialist embrace of a father for his son. could not confirm that Brad would be able to use it let alone benefit from it. I suspect now that our evaluation of Brad’s capabilities were much too low. I wish now that I had been one of those parents who fights and demands Rick Lyon has been a passionate student of The everything they can get for their child until they get it. But Urantia Book since 1978 . He has served in several leadership Brad was happy and safe and that is all I ever wanted for positions from study group host to UAI Executive Director . him. Perhaps I was terribly mistaken. What if I had pushed Rick is currently a member and Vice President of Orvonton the issue of buying a computer or tried harder to do it Society and a member of Greater Lake Michigan Urantia myself….. Association . He recently released a book series, FAQ’s With I have never doubted anything I have found in The The Facts About God, Heaven, Angels, And Religion and Urantia Book. Sometimes they make me scratch my head FAQ’s With The Facts About Jesus with answers from and wonder, but then something happens to convince me The Urantia Book . Rick retired from his environmental job of the truth of whatever it was. While I believed all The at a steel mill this year . He and his wife Susan, who is also Urantia Book said about this subject and that I included a long time student of The Urantia Book, are owners of for this article, I was just never really convinced of what CosmicCreations BIZ. was behind those happy eyes of Brad—was there really a personality with survival potential inside there? I resigned myself to discovering the answer on Mansion World One. The YouTube video that convinced me of the truth contained in The Urantia Book about this situation can

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 8 The Soul-Synthesis Hypothesis Paranormal Reflections on Soul-Making and Cosmic Spirituality By Byron Belitsos, San Rafael, CA

One hot and humid human soul. summer day in 1962 in My initiatory childhood experience helped lead me, suburban Cincinnati, just a decade after it happened, to discover The Urantia I was engaged in Book (or UB)—which of course offers systematic revelatory aimless play at our teachings about the human soul. Four decades later I neighborhood pool like have been moved to author a book, Your Evolving Soul, any other nine-year-old that offers my reflections on the nature of the human self boy. At one point, I and soul. In this work, I explicate the Urantia Revelation jumped into the kids’ through the prism of the teachings about self and soul end of the pool—or found in the world’s wisdom traditions, with special so I thought. Instead emphasis on Buddhism and Christian mysticism. I also of gently hitting the show its relationship to Ken Wilber’s contemporary bottom, I was suddenly theories of integral psychology and spirituality as well as lost in ten feet of water. other theories held by transpersonal psychologists and I was so startled by the philosophers. depth that I began to panic, for I had not yet learned to I’ve refined the insights that I have carried with me swim. I struggled and churned, frantic to get my bearings. ever since that day in 1962. I now believe, following The In a flash, time slowed down as I entered a place of sheer Urantia Book, that we all hold within us our life-story-as- terror. And then I crossed over into a timeless paranormal a-whole and further, that our soul contains our essential state. But before I could inhale a gulp of water, I was pulled personal experiences that are cumulatively stored up within free by a vigilant lifeguard. us. These “soul memories” are not mere denizens of the In those few moments before the rescue, I had a near- brain; they will survive the brain and the body. On a daily death experience (NDE), including what we now call a “life basis our transcendent soul-story evolves and expands review.” In my mind’s eye, I saw my short life pass before through a process I like to call soul-making,—a phrase me in a complete review: scenes of my parents, siblings, that also appears in The Urantia Book and appears to have school chums, teachers, our cat, my bedroom, me riding been borrowed from the poet John Keats—clearly a human my bike—an explosion of distinct images of encounters source. with each important person or thing in my young world. Each person’s growing corpus of soul-creating And each scene that paraded through me had an aura of experiences can suddenly disclose itself when we face truth and light around it. The feeling associated with this mortality or are on the verge of a “supreme decision,” for instantaneous experience was rapturous, even though my example. I believe the wondrous and numinous quality of body was paralyzed with fear. Looking back, I now believe these memories, when they are revealed, is evidence of an I was given a rare childhood glimpse of the actual contents immortal pedigree. And that very same notion is also the of my soul. conclusion of almost every NDE-life-review experiencer I later discovered that the phenomenon of “NDE life whose testimonies we have. reviews” is well-known in scientific and popular literature; My further research, inspired by the Urantia indeed, my own mini-life-review is just one small example Revelation, builds on this foundation. According to among hundreds of spectacular NDE life-review accounts what I call the soul-synthesis hypothesis, the human soul documented in numerous popular books, websites, and consists of the sum total of the energetic record of all of our even academic studies. Reading these accounts today, plus worthwhile life experiences. In addition, these poignant my own experience as a child, leads me to surmise that moments of spiritual significance are our most precious these events offer paranormal proof of the existence of the asset by far, as well as being a unique and invaluable

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 9 contribution to cosmic evolution. We know also that our and as our soul, as potentially eternal memories that survive future identity is built around the surviving soul in the the death of the body. Finally, I believe the TA performs afterlife. these same services even if the immediate experience As I see it, the human soul is a living, growing, involved is painful or disturbing or even seemingly ordinary. shimmering entity of light. But its luminosity differs Our afflictions and predicaments and our sincere efforts from the extremely rarified light of the Indwelling Spirit to adjust to and overcome such difficulties—as well as our that—according to The Urantia Book as well as poets aspirations and our efforts to attain worthy goals through and Gnostics and mystics—also lives within us. We should steadfast decisions—are especially soul-making. never conflate these two very different entities, the soul and Even a child—after having received their Mystery the Thought Adjuster; but contemporary New Age thought Monitor at around age 6—accumulates a psychic repository and transpersonal psychology do just that far too often. of such soul-making memories that are constitutive of its Instead, we can teach our contemporaries that the young soul, as I discovered experientially. But to gain any evolving soul should be seen as a psychic product of direct awareness of the soul’s subtle content is no small an alchemical blend of widely divergent elements that, matter. The evolving soul seems to divulge its secrets in certain moments of daily experience, get “blended” only when we are in deep and sustained reflection and behind the scenes in our deepest interior. This process of meditation—or else suddenly in dreams, epiphanies, or soul-synthesis occurs when worthy impulses, intentions, calamitous events. But it is especially revealed in NDE life or mental states—especially when these are linked with reviews, as I explain in Your Evolving Soul. reflective moral decisions—rise above the instinctive or The most potent soul-synthesizing situations, we are reactive level of mind to what (according to the midwayers, taught, are those in which we wrestle with challenging we are told) should be called the mid-mind. In this psychic dilemmas with an attitude of faith and hopefulness. We domain they engage with the downreach of the indwelling especially grow and stretch the soul when we are tested God-self. During this momentary encounter, the Higher- by demanding situations that summon creative choices Self-within functions in such a way as to memorialize our among competing values, and especially when we follow most poignant moral decisions. Its intrinsic nature is to through on such decisions. And if such choices and the always seek out an energetic resonance with our more resulting actions are infused with our highest consciousness meaningful thoughts and feelings. And then these two of truth, beauty, and goodness, then our soul growth is all factors—a resonant mental content and its recognition by the more accelerated. As I see it, our true purpose in life is our inner divinity—meet, merge, and dissolve, so to speak, to make such soul-making choices, which prepare us for the into one another. And the result is a mixed substance of eternal life ahead and contribute something unique to the the subtle realm—our evolving human soul—whose luster evolution of the Supreme in the Grand universe. is unique. In addition, we are told that our God-self has another key function in the inner life: it works to catalyze these more worthy mental events in the first place, thereby Byron Belitsos (Evolving-Souls org). is an author, book guiding our soul to evolve even further—that is, if we are publisher, and editor, and is most recently the author of Your game for the adventure. Evolving Soul: The Cosmic Spirituality of the Urantia In essence, then, our Thought Adjuster works to Revelation (Origin Press, 2017), from which this essay is inspire, and then select and highlight those mind-moments adapted . it deems worthy of immortality. It then deposits these in : “…provide for Adjuster-expression, the manifestation of your real and better self.” [195:7.5] (P. 2078)

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 10 I, Brother – The Urantia Papers and Issues of Race By DJ Marshall, Ft . Wayne, IN hurts, it’s always infuriating, and it’s almost always based on non-sense and unfortunately it is everywhere: First Impression Japanese towards Koreans, Chinese to Indians, Back in 1971 when Protestants to Catholics, Believers to non-believers, I was just becoming Jews to gentiles, Parisians to Americans, enchanted with the the Intelligent to those less so, Urantia Papers, I was the Beautiful to those not. deeply disturbed by Men to Women, the Powerful to the Powerless sections of the book I could go on but I think you get the idea, prejudice that discussed race and its social dysfunction is not difficult to find. using terms such as “inferior” that, for me, Contemporary non-Urantian views of Race conjured images of Prejudice, of course, is often supported by ideas that the Ku Klux Klan and racial superiority or inferiority is established by “facts” but lynching. when you look at the research and literature, you discover In spite of my that the studies usually revolve around the age-old debate discomfort with those of whether nurture or nature is the basis for individual sections of the book dealing with race, I continued reading and/or racial/cultural character. Remarkably, both sides it and eventually came away with a sense of wonder at believe that the argument has been decided in their favor. the love, patience, and hope that permeated the book. Because advances in genomics have failed to provide There wasn’t any part of the book that gave greater caring definitive proofs, there is still little scientific fact concerning or devoted love to any one race not given to all others. differences in the races, so people too often pre-decide So now, some forty-five years later, I find myself wanting what truth they prefer and select studies or apocrypha that to reconcile the seemingly inconsistent issues of racial supports that opinion. superiority/inferiority and the genuine love found in the Urantia Papers. Urantian View of Race I grew up a white Irish catholic in the west end of The Urantia Book states that there were originally Pittsburgh which was then notorious for having ready six races of color each with their own characteristics. slurs for any and all ethnic groups. Not surprisingly, other Unfortunately, descriptors in The Urantia Book (inferior, than my father I didn’t know an un-prejudiced adult until secondary etc.) that nowadays are considered insults. For I was twenty-one. At about that time I found myself in a those who have read the entire Urantia Book, the sting New Orleans cement masons union where I found myself of these words seems to be the opposite of the otherwise the only “white boy” (or man) in the union of 200+ pervasive love, respect, and encouragement given to all journeymen. To my great benefit, the experience was a races in the Book. So, what is to be done so that readers visceral epiphany about these men that I worked with. offended by these words do not begin to question The These men, in their dreams, their sense of honor, and their Urantia Book’s value? Is there some way these AD 1934 willingness to work hard were just like my Dad, they could words can be adapted to AD 2018 interpretation? Should have been my Dad. we even try? Of course, there was a small group that really didn’t In one section of the book readers are warned want to know me in any way that would challenge their that some scientific statements found in the book will prejudice towards all whites. As a result of this, a secondary require revising in the future because the book’s authors epiphany highlighted to me how much prejudice hurts. were forbidden to present unearned knowledge. Once Regardless of whether it’s occasional or persistent it always new scientific facts require such revision, readers were

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 11 not to let such adaptations cloud the authenticity and race I personally belong to, the graph shows there will be credibility of the rest of the book. In a similar manner I am people with musical talent both greater and lesser than my assuming the authors would expect us to adapt “sensitive own. Other observations include: characterizations” for the contemporary ear as long as the underlying meanings and value of the passages were kept • RACE 3 and RACE 5 have persons’ superior to true. The following is an attempt to do just that. anyone in the superior RACE 2. • RACE 5 has the most superior and most inferior Superior vs. Inferior Races individuals of all the races. There is a conviction in the mind of many that if they • The most inferior of RACE 2 is almost the average of belong to a “superior” race, then they are superior in every the RACE 1. way to anyone of an “inferior” race. This is easily found • Virtually half of RACE 3 is superior to the best of to be untrue. Statistically, it may be possible to comment RACE 4. about an entire people, but such statistical assertions will • About half of RACE 4 is superior to the lowest of have little to do with anyone as an individual, except to RACE 3, a superior race. indicate the probability that anyone else will share some • Almost half of RACE 1 is inferior to the lowest of particular racial attribute. RACE 2. A trite example of this would be someone believing • RACE 5 and RACE 6 have essentially the same that because “white men can’t jump” that every black average, though RACE 5 is twice the size and monopolizes person could outjump me, a white man. Well, I don’t doubt the extremes. that a vast majority of blacks can outjump me but I know from personal experience that not all of them can do so. To repeat, any attempt to draw parallels from such a The obvious conclusion is that there exists a range of gifts graph must factor in the worldwide extent of race mixing. and capabilities within otherwise homogenous groups. There are very few, if any, populations of even moderately Though today there are almost no truly homogenous or pure races. pure races. In light of the above, invoking your race to establish your individual superiority, or another’s inferiority, seems A Different Perspective essentially un-informative. Therefore, a guiding principle To illustrate a point, I’ve assumed six, relatively for individuals regarding the relationship between superior homogenous, hypothetical races and arranged them and inferior races could be stated: in a simple graph. The races each have different sized NO INDIVIDUAL can be considered SUPERIOR or populations and those populations are differentially INFERIOR based solely on Race talented musically in relation to the other races. The vertical axis measures the upper and lower range of musical Is The Urantia Book racist? ability within each race. The reaction of some is to pronounce The Urantia Book as racist because it uses terms such as superior and inferior when discussing race. But The Urantia Book is not racist, quite the contrary, though it purports a multiplicity of differentiated abilities to each race, it states quite clearly that all races have particular values that are intended to be biologically shared with all races once each individual race purged itself of its least worthy members. This was supposed to be accomplished 39,000 years ago but was not because of the earlier Dalmatia default. It left us in the difficult I have placed a short-dash line in the middle of each position of trying to remedy our racial situation today fairly, race to indicate its average (mean) and used this measure ethically, and morally without much guidance. to stipulate RACE 2 as the musically superior race because “Variety is indispensable to opportunity for the wide it had the highest musical average. Furthermore, a long- functioning of natural selection, differential survival dash line has been placed to indicate my ability in relation of superior strains . Stronger and better races are to to all of the races. It can be seen that, regardless of which be had from the interbreeding of diverse peoples when

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 12 these different races are carriers of superior inheritance Building Ability would be indispensable in advancing factors .” [64:6.31] (P. 726) the quality of life and enhancing the potentials of any So, contrary to historical racist beliefs, The Urantia population? Book clearly states that there was always a plan to merge Even if you don’t agree with which three attributes are the races and not, as some still think, to keep them essential and which secondary, you have to agree that this separate according to “god and the laws of nature”. is a respectful and valuing way to view the inter-dependent and indispensable relationship binding primary and Why are there Secondary Races? secondary races. But there is still a question of why there were three Unfair to Secondary Races? primary and three secondary races were necessary. We were So what about the seeming unfairness of being born told that some planets had just three primary races? What into to a secondary race with its “inferior” status? Should was the point of the secondary races? Why were their races these peoples be expected to happily bear the added burden considered inferior while their attributes were considered of of racial prejudice while trying to pursue a successful sufficient value to be later integrated with all races? life? To the extent their situation is a consequence of In order to illustrate a point, I would like to arbitrarily Urantia’s general default, shouldn’t all individuals’ feel assign different attributes to each of our previously some obligation to assist those who are struggling due to mentioned six races. In this demonstration each individual no fault of their own? This is not suggesting “special rights” races will be recognized as having the maximum expression pity or charity, but rather an opportunity for each of us of one particular attribute, even though all races will have as individuals to manifest loving concern for our fellows. some amount of every attribute. Fortunately, of some consolation, is the fact that people I imagine that the differences might in some ways of secondary races can look with hope and pride to the be similar to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple Urantia Papers account of their eternal future. intelligences. However, the assignment of attributes below In all this is shown the wisdom of the Creators . It are not his nor strictly as found in the Urantia Papers, would be just as easy for the Universal Father to make all rather they are assigned by me in order to illustrate my mortals perfect beings, to impart perfection by his divine argument. The attributes are allocated as follows: word . But that would deprive them of the wonderful experience of the adventure and training associated with Red race – intelligence, individualism the long and gradual inward climb, an experience to be Blue race – tool making ability, adventurousness had only by those who are so fortunate to begin at the Yellow race – strong communal & agricultural very bottom of living existence . (32:3.11] (P. 361 - 2) tendencies Orange race – building & spatial ability Green race – individual strength and size Indigo race – advanced mind/body coordination Dennis Marshall discovered The Urantia Book in New Orleans in 1971 . He is now retired after thirty years teaching Because races in the Urantia Papers are seemingly Architectural Engineering Technology at Indiana University/ designated primary (superior) or secondary (inferior) based Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana . He is currently on their attributes, we need to consider what might make serving as president of the study group begun by Meredith any particular attribute superior to another? Here are two Sprunger questions that might help us begin a reevaluating process: Primary: In establishing a civilization couldn’t Intelligence, Tool-Making, and a strong Communal Tendency be considered absolutely essential for success? Isn’t it likely these attributes would be considered more essential to civilization than might Individual Strength, Building Ability, and Mind/Body Coordination? Secondary: And is it so hard to imagine that in the “flowering” of a rudimentary civilization, secondary attributes such as Athletics, Individual Strength, and

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 13 A Tale of Two Men

By Linda Buselli, Carmel, IN Brother Laurence’s writings are very simple compared The following was presented as a plenary speech at to passages in The Urantia Book, but they have touched so the Summer Study Session 2015 . many minds and hearts because his was a living experience of God’s presence in everything he did. Many of the things This is the story he said are not too different from some of the book’s of two remarkable statements. For instance from The Urantia Book: men who changed the Those who know God have experienced the fact of world by sharing their his presence, such knowing mortals hold in their personal experiences with faith. experience the only positive proof of the existence of the Have you ever living God which one human being can offer to another . heard of Brother The existence of God is utterly beyond all possibility of Laurence? He was a demonstration except for the contact between the God- quiet man who entered consciousness of the human mind and the God-presence a monastery in France of the Thought Adjuster that indwells the mortal intellect in 1666. He had no and is bestowed upon man as the free gift of the Universal desire to become a Father . [1:2.5](P. 24) priest or to advance in Note this difference of delivery from Brother Laurence: status in the monastery, “Oh dear friend, the Lord is not outside of you, so as a lay brother, he pouring down favors. The Lord is within you. Seek worked in the kitchens Him there, within…and nowhere else.” as a cook and dish Here is another comparison from The Urantia Book: washer. His entire being was concentrated on a constant “(Prayer) is a spontaneous outburst of God- awareness of the presence of God, so much so that his consciousness ”. [91:8.11] (P. 1002) writings about his experiences were treasured by all who And from Brother Laurence: “My prayers are nothing knew him. After his death, at the urgings of a Cardinal of other than a sense of the presence of God” . the Church, these letters and accounts of conversations Brother Laurence also said: “I am more united to with him were published under the title The Practice of God in my outward employments than when I leave the Presence of God and have inspired untold millions them for devotion and retirement.” of readers. This little book has been in constant print for Compare that with this Urantia Book quote: “The almost 400 years, and is still considered a classic. contact of the mortal mind with its indwelling Adjuster, What is so special about what Brother Laurence did? while often favored by devoted meditation, is more He seems to have reached a level of God-consciousness frequently facilitated by wholehearted and loving service during virtually every moment of his day. In fact, he did in unselfish ministry to one’s fellow creatures ”. [91:7.1] (P. what The Urantia Book tells us Jesus did. He maintained 1000) a consciousness of God all day, every day, with a constant The Urantia Book tells us we will be known by conversation with Him. He dedicated everything he did to our example of living the fruits of the spirit. Here is an God, and he went way beyond the prescribed prayers of his observation of Brother Laurence written by someone who order. To quote Brother Laurence, knew him: “Do you know the highest kind of life we can “As Brother Laurence found such an advantage in experience? There is not in the world a kind of life walking in the presence of God, it was natural for him more sweet and delightful than that of a continual to recommend it earnestly to others. But his example conversation with God. Those only can comprehend was a stronger inducement than any arguments he it who practice and experience it; let us do it from a could ever have proposed. His very countenance principle of love, and because God would have us.” was edifying, with such a sweet and calm devotion appearing to it as could not but affect his beholders. Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 14 It was observed that in the greatest hurry of business walks in our minds, reaches out through our hands, in the kitchen, he still preserved his recollection and speaks with our voices, if we respond to His every heavenly minded business. He did each thing with whisper.” an even, uninterrupted composure and tranquility of Many of his statements mirror some from The Urantia spirit. “The time of business said he, does not differ Book. For instance: with me from the time of prayer; and in the noise and “If our destiny is to grow on and on and on, into clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the some far more beautiful creatures than we are now, “If you lean back to consider some problem, how can you remember the Lord? By forming a new habit. All thought employs silent words and is really conversation with your inner self. Instead of talking to yourself, form the habit of talking to Christ. Some of us who have done this find it so much better that we never want the other way again. …He dwells in us, walks in our minds, reaches out through our hands, speaks with our voices, if we respond to His every whisper.” same time calling for different things, I possess God in that means that we need to have the shells broken as great a tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the quite frequently so that we can grow .” blessed sacrament.”” From The Urantia Book: For anyone interested in a more modern discussion No chick may be had without the shell, and no shell is of Brother Laurence’s spiritual journey, Frank Laubach, a of any worth after the chick is hatched . [48:6.32] (P. 554) Congregational Christian missionary in the mid-twentieth century, gives a detailed account of his attempts and Brother Laurence at one point indicates that a few of successes in following in Brother Laurence’s footsteps. his associates thought he may be becoming too mystical He served many years in the Philippines. It was during with these exercises. Both men have been accused of being this time that he became known as “the Apostle of the mystics, yet have functioned in their lives quite successfully Illiterate” because of his dedication to bringing literacy to and with great joy and faith. In fact, Brother Laurence the underprivileged. His efforts to accomplish this resulted laughed when accused of being a mystic. He said: “How can in organizations around the world that exist today. He is anyone who believes in Jesus not be a Mystic?” the only American missionary to ever be honored on a U.S. And Frank Laubach, who referred to himself as a postage stamp. “modern mystic” commented on it also. He said: “I am He became inspired by Brother Laurence, and in his well aware of the probability of criticism because it is book Practicing His Presence, he gives an interesting “mysticism”…or because many people think that the days account of his experiences in developing a constant of direct contact with God, or at least words from God, consciousness of God. He has many suggestions for stopped with the closing of the New Testament.” beginning the habit of holding a conversation with Him. Now, how can we follow the examples of these two Here is just a fraction of what he has to say: men? In their books both men gained a mindedness “If you lean back to consider some problem, of God’s presence, and both give details of the joy and how can you remember the Lord? By forming a new peace that ensued. Frank Laubach has some suggestions a habit. All thought employs silent words and is really beginner might consider: conversation with your inner self. Instead of talking “This is the best way to act: talk a great deal to the to yourself, form the habit of talking to Christ. Some Lord. When reading, keep a running conversation with of us who have done this find it so much better that Him about the pages you are reading.” we never want the other way again. …He dwells in us, When you are strolling out of doors alone, you can

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 15 recall the Lord at least once every minute with no effort. If of the mind with the presence of God. Everyone defines you wander to a place where you can talk out loud without meditation according to the way they personally express being overheard, you may speak to the invisible Companion it, including conversation, so expectations vary among inside you. individuals. I have found that we can establish ourselves in a sense A friend of mine came up with a suggestion that was of the presence of God by continually talking with Him.” probably the best I’ve ever tried. For one day, I was asked At one point he had become discouraged with his to do the following with every person I met—to imagine efforts: the Father’s love moving through me to that individual. I “Oh, this thing of keeping in constant touch with God, was not to put in my own feelings or interpretations, merely of making Him the object of my thought I cannot do it to allow the Father’s love to use me as a conduit. In fact, I even half of a day—not yet, but I believe I shall be doing wasn’t supposed to think anything at all, just let the Father it some day for the entire day. It is a matter of acquiring a do everything. The results were amazing. If we can succeed new habit of thought. in keeping this God-consciousness in us even most of the And later in his efforts: time, perhaps there would be no room for anything but “Usually, you will feel no deep emotion, but will always love…no space for anger, unhealthy ego manifestations, the have a “peace that passeth all understanding.” Remember, inability to forgive, or unhappiness. this statement from The Urantia Book? “Genuine spiritual Each of us is so unique that we have to develop ecstasy is usually associated with great outward calmness practices that work for us. For a more complete list of and almost perfect emotional control ”. [91”7.3] (P. 1000) possibilities, I would suggest Frank Laubach’s book, After almost two years of constant effort, Frank Practicing His Presence. In it he has combined Brother Laubach made this entry in his diary: Laurence’s complete book with a description of his own “When one has struck some wonderful blessing that attempts and failures in his development of this sense of the all mankind has a right to know about, no custom or false divine presence. You will find many more suggestions for modesty should prevent him from telling it, even though it beginning a new and deeper experience of the presence of may mean the unbarring of his soul to the public gaze. God. This simple practice requires only a gentle pressure of Finally, the following was written by Brother Laurence the will, not more than a person can exert easily. It grows shortly before he died: easier as the habit becomes fixed. “In a little time I will go to God. What comforts me in Yet it transforms life into heaven. Everybody takes on this life is that I now see my Lord by faith. In seeing Him a new richness, and all the world seems tinted with glory. by faith I actually see so well I sometimes say, ‘I believe no I do not, of course, know what others think of me, but the more! I see!” joy which I have within cannot be described. If there were I can feel that which faith teaches; I can sense what never other reward than that, it would more than justify faith sees. This of course, works great assurance in me. In the practice to me.” that assurance, and in that practice of faith, I will live and Even to approach the knowing of a divine personality, die with Him.” all of man’s personality endowments must be wholly consecrated to the effort; half- hearted partial devotion will be unavailing . You can argue over opinions about God, but experience with him and in him exists above Linda Buselli discovered The Urantia Book in 1971 and and beyond all human controversy and mere intellectual she and her husband Bob have been developing study groups logic . [1:6.5] (P. 30) wherever they have lived ever since . She has also been active in serving the revelation as Chair of the Publications Committee I have tried to come up with some suggestions based and a member of the Fellowship General Council and on personal experiences and those of friends. Here some Executive Committee for the past 18 years . definitions may be needed. For instance, meditation is generally understood to imply the silencing of thought so that the Adjuster can communicate with the individual. The process Brother Laurence and Frank Laubach suggest, rather than an emptying of the mind, is a conscious filling

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 16 Akhenaten By Derek Samaras, Denver, CO

Akhenaten (Ikhnaton) Theologians, and Alien theorists. Never in all history did any king so methodically proceed Ikhnaton was wise enough to maintain the outward to swing a whole nation from polytheism to monotheism as did worship of Aton, the sun-god, while he led his associates this extraordinary Ikhnaton . [95:5.4] (P. 1047) in the disguised worship of the One God, creator of Aton and supreme Father of all . This young teacher-king was a prolific writer, being author of the exposition entitled “The One God,” a book of thirty-one chapters, which the priests, when returned to power, utterly destroyed . Ikhnaton also wrote one hundred and thirty-seven hymns, twelve of which are now preserved in the Old Testament Book of Psalms, credited to Hebrew authorship . [95:5.7] (P. 1048)

Berlin’s Neues Museum, Akhenaten’s bust bears the scars of upheavals ancient and modern. Smashed by the king’s successors in the 14th century B.C

Akhenaten, the son of AmenhotepIII was the young king of Egypt who ruled from around 1353 B.C. until 1336 B.C. and might be considered a revolutionary by today’s standards. During his short reign he successfully changed his name, relocated the capitol of Egypt from A limestone stela at the Neues Museum features Akhenaten and Thebes to a newly built Amarna, and united his people Nefertiti with three of their daughters beneath the sun god Aten. under monotheism. His writings were prolific as some are now immortalized in the Old Testament under Hebrew Akhenaten is most popular for his installment of the authorship. Akhenaten’s only problem was that his new worship of Aten(Aton) the “Solar Disk” or Sun god. The religion based on morality and righteousness under one worship of one deity marks a great social and religious God was too much for most people to grasp at the time. evolution for a family, nation, or race. Monotheism is a When his short reign was over, there was an immediate powerful unifier for a society. There was however 2 sides to reversion back to the old ways of worshiping Isis and Osiris. the worship of Aten. All of Akhenaten’s writings were subsequently destroyed, Very wisely Ikhnaton sought to establish monotheism and his name has ever since been the subject of many under the guise of the sun-god . This decision to approach speculations and wild tales by professional Egyptologists, the worship of the Universal Father by absorbing all gods

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 17 into the worship of the sun was due to the counsel of the many different spellings of his name, which might imply the *Salemite physician . Ikhnaton took the generalized it was a non-Egyptian name in origin.4 Some suggest that doctrines of the then existent Aton faith regarding the the queen’s strong political and unconventional religious fatherhood and motherhood of Deity and created a views might have been due not just to a strong character, religion which recognized an intimate worshipful relation but to foreign descent.] between man and God . [95:5.6] (PP. 1047-48) It turned out that Akhenaton needed all the advising he could get from his mother because his ambition was Salemite physician who taught not equaled by his sagaciousness. His new religion deemed Akhenaten monotheism? too much, too quickly for the majority of citizens. It was In a recent article published by National Geographic, difficult for them to leave the old ways that were so steeped Ray Johnson, who directs the Chicago House, the in ritual, superstition, and nature worship. University of Chicago’s research center in Luxor mentions The weakness of Ikhnaton’s doctrine lay in the fact that a peculiar detail that might possibly be a reference to the he proposed such an advanced religion that only the educated “salemite physician.” Egyptians could fully comprehend his teachings . The rank and Johnson has recently pieced together broken wall file of the agricultural laborers never really grasped his gospel reliefs and statuary from collections scattered all around and were, therefore, ready to return with the priests to the old- the world. Digitization makes work like this faster. Johnson time worship of Isis and her consort Osiris, who was supposed showed me a virtual “join” in which he had matched a to have been miraculously resurrected from a cruel death at the photograph of one fragment located in Copenhagen with hands of Set, the god of darkness and evil . [95:5.12] (P. 1048) another in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “They’re Even though the ideal of monotheism experienced a 4,000 miles apart, but I realized that they join,” he said. decline with the passing of Akhenaten’s reign, the idea The connection reveals a surprising scene: Akhenaten of one God persisted in the thinking of many people. performs a ritual not with Nefertiti, but with *Kiya, another Akhenaten’s son in law, Tutankhamen decided to join the wife, who didn’t have the status of queen. priests of the old religious ways. In ironic fashion he took www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/05/ a page from his father’s book and changed his name and akhenaten-revolutionary-egypt-king/ moved the capital back to Thebes. Unfortunately much Certainly its speculation to assume that Kiya is of the art and literature at Amarna was destroyed and all the missing salemite physician who taught Akhenaten associations with Akhenaten were severed. monotheism but it is interesting how The Urantia Book Ray Johnson from the University of Chicago’s research tells us that this salemite physician was also a woman and center in Luxor comments on the remarkable art and none other than the mother of Akhenaton. craftsmanship present in the objects found at Amarna, but The teachings of Amenemope were slowly losing their also explains the intentional destruction and separation of hold on the Egyptian mind when, through the influence of all associations with Akhenaten. Even by his family. an Egyptian Salemite physician, a woman of the royal family “This is beautifully made,” he said, holding up the espoused the Melchizedek teachings . This woman prevailed piece of carved stone statuary, on which only the king’s upon her son, Ikhnaton, Pharaoh of Egypt, to accept these lower legs were visible. “This is not accidentally damaged.” doctrines of One God. [95:5.1] (P. 1047) Amarna archaeology has a forensic quality because so This passage in The Urantia Book doesn’t tell us the many artifacts were deliberately destroyed after the sudden name of the salemite physician but it does show that this death of the king around 1336 B.C. His only son and heir woman would be considered very important to Akhenaten. was Tutankhaten, no more than 10 years old, who soon Egyptologists have come to show that Tiye was the replaced the “Aten” in his name with the title of the god mother of Akhenaten, and while there is no mention of that his father had hated: Tutankhamun. He abandoned her being a physician, there is record of her having great Amarna and returned to the old traditions.” influence as an advisor to Akhenaton during his rule at www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/05/ Amarna. Wikipedia tells us that she most likely was of akhenaten-revolutionary-egypt-king/ foreign descent which could contribute to her having salem influences. [Egyptologists have suggested that Tiye’s father, Yuya, was of foreign origin due to the features of his mummy and

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 18 the priests immediately destroyed his works following his death, and has influenced the academic professionals on the marjority to interpret Aknenaten as more of a villain character. This is due to his “breaking old traditions.” This paints an unfortunate representation of the gifted, spiritually revolutionary king. Second, It’s important to point out that Akhenaten was teaching from the wisdom and writings of Amenemope, who scholars are now quietly attributing some verses of the old testament to. There is still great effort in keeping a strictly traditional Hebrew ownership and accredidation for the authorship of the Old testament, as well as the creation of monotheism. This becomes a challenge when trying to discern and share historical truths for archeologists and historians. There is an old book by James Breasted called “The Dawn of Conscience” 1933, in it he points out the exact passages where the teachings of Amenemope appear in the old testament. At the Luxor Museum, his features appear on one of the few “The Dawn of Conscience” sculptures whose face was not smashed. Discovered beneath a temple https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.76190 at Karnak, this artifact appears to have been buried at the command Amenemope’s wise teachings are located at the British of the king himself, who repeatedly changed the style of his portrayal, museum. discarding previous versions. I’ve selected a few of my favorite passages from the book of Proverbs and a bit of the 1Psalm, which contains Most scholars currently don’t describe Akhenaten as the teachings originally written by (Amen)emope and was a monotheist due to their concern of too many modern the heart of Akhenaten’s teachings: characteristics being ascribed to Akhenaten. Equally, the Proverbs 15:8 KJV secular world of academia tends to tread lightly when [8] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the word Religion is introduced, due to its precarious the Lord : but the prayer of the upright is his delight. associations with many traditions. Proverbs 15:17 KJV Love him or hate him, Akhenaten has contributed [17] Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a to the moral, social, and spiritual foundation of the entire stalled ox and hatred therewith. judeo-christian perspective with his interpretation of the Proverbs 15:21 KJV One God of all. It remains a mystery to professionals as to [21] Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a why his works were so vehemently destroyed immediately man of understanding walketh uprightly. after his death. Proverbs 17:6 KJV Ikhnaton was wise enough to maintain the outward [6] Children’s children are the crown of old men; and worship of Aton, the sun-god, while he led his associates the glory of children are their fathers. in the disguised worship of the One God, creator of Aton Proverbs 17:10 KJV and supreme Father of all . This young teacher-king was [10] A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an a prolific writer, being author of the exposition entitled hundred stripes into a fool. “The One God,” a book of thirty-one chapters, which Proverbs 17:12 KJV the priests, when returned to power, utterly destroyed . [12] Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather Ikhnaton also wrote one hundred and thirty-seven hymns, than a fool in his folly. twelve of which are now preserved in the Old Testament Proverbs 17:22 KJV Book of Psalms, credited to Hebrew authorship . [95:5.7] [22] A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a (P. 1048) broken spirit drieth the bones. Finding support for Akhenaten’s writings within the Proverbs 17:28 KJV Bible are difficult for multiple reasons. The first being, [28] Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 19 wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of Links: understanding. Fact checking the bible Proverbs 20:7 KJV http://forward.com/news/371033/ [7] The just man walketh in his integrity: his children fact-checking-the-bible-in-chicagos-oriental-institute/ are blessed after him. Amarna Proverbs 20:15 KJV https://amarnaanniversary.wordpress.com/blog/ [15] There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the National Geographic Article lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/05/ Proverbs 20:22 KJV akhenaten-revolutionary-egypt-king/ [22] Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on Amenemope the Lord , and he shall save thee. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Proverbs 20:27 KJV Instruction of Amenemope [27] The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord , https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ searching all the inward parts of the belly. Instruction_of_Amenemope Proverbs 22:24-25 KJV [24] Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: [25] Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Derek Samaras is Proverbs 24:10 KJV a second generation UB [10] If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is reader from Chicago, small. Il, and is currently the Proverbs 24:19-20 KJV Assistant Director at the [19] Fret not thyself because of evil men , neither be Urantia Book Fellowship . thou envious at the wicked; [20] For there shall be no Derek was introduced reward to the evil man ; the candle of the wicked shall be to fellowship outreach put out. during his 2x2 outreach Psalm 1:1-3 KJV trip in Croatia with the [1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel Alaska Northern Lights of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor Society . Derek is a film sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in maker and regularly the law of the Lord ; and in his law doth he meditate day creates video content and night. [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the for the revelation . He rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; has also been doing interesting research in the field of history his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall and giving provocative presentations about the Sumerian prosper depictions of ancient epochal revelation . You can catch Derek hosting the Cosmic Citizen radio show Saturday mornings on blogtalkradio/cosmiccitizen .

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Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 20 The New Teacher/Leaders A Training Manual By Preston Thomas, Earlysville, VA to join in a great adventure! Here is how the revelators describe what is to happen on our world and the thrilling Note: Appendix possibilities that lie in our future: notes refer to Preston The call to the adventure of building a new and Thomas’ Book transformed human society by means of the spiritual rebirth The Life and Teachings of Jesus’ brotherhood of the kingdom should thrill all who of Jesus believe in him as men have not been stirred since the days when they walked about on earth as his companions in the flesh . Our Call [195:10.6](P. 2084); (my bold) There are many The time for a new revelation of Jesus has come! The hopeful and inspiring leaders of this new revelation will bring about the spiritual statements about our rebirth of Jesus’ brotherhood of the kingdom. They will future in The Urantia spark a great new spiritual renaissance. For those who feel Book, but few can inclined to help bring about this new revelation, three match the promise and fundamental requirements are set forth. opportunity that is foretold in the following The Three Fundamental Requirements lines: The new teacher-leaders must: Religion does need (1) be “spiritual men and women” new leaders, spiritual (2) “be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration men and women who will dare to depend solely on Jesus of men” and his incomparable teachings . [19:9.3] (P. 2082) (3) “dare to depend solely on Jesus and his . the. spiritual renaissance must await the coming incomparable teachings” of these new teachers of Jesus’ religion who will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men . If we seek membership in this now forming corps of [19:9.3] (P. 2082) new teacher-leaders it is good to reflect upon each of these Let us reflect upon the amazing implications of these requirements. We will find that, just as the task is great, so statements. The revelators are telling us that our world is also are the requirements. What follows may be thought of in need of new teachers of Jesus’ religion. And they are as a guide and basic training manual for those who aspire prophesying the coming of these new teachers, predicting to become new teacher-leaders. As we ponder what role we that these new religious leaders will help bring a spiritual might play in this great adventure let us be mindful what renaissance to our “dark and confused world.” Jesus requires of his followers: (See Appendix 1.1 To Whom Is This Great Call In accordance with the truth committed to your Directed?) hands will the Master of truth demand a reckoning . In many places the revelators point out that today’s [176:3.8](P. 1918) world is beset by serious problems. The greatest of these are materialistic secularism, unceasing social transformation, The Spirituality Requirement and spiritual stagnation. New religious leaders are The first and most basic requirement for the new desperately needed to answer these problems by turning our teacher-leaders is that they be “spiritual men and women.” world back to the true religion of Jesus. What does it mean to be “spiritual”? (See Appendix 1.2 Our Present Situation: World Crisis Spirituality is a reflection of our closeness to God; it and the Need for Spiritual Religion) is the measure of our attunement to his indwelling spirit. Yes, we do face serious problems, but great things lie It is directly proportional to the elimination of the selfish ahead, and we are called to participate! We are called qualities of love. And crucially, it is also a measure of the

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 21 effectiveness of our spiritual ministry. Here is how the spirit, but that they grow and progress in spiritual fruit revelators put it: bearing. As we continue in the Father’s will we must Spirituality becomes at once the indicator of one’s nearness increasingly show forth spiritual fruit in our personal lives. to God and the measure of one’s usefulness to fellow beings . Here is how Jesus put it: [100:2.4] (P. 1096)(my bold) Increasingly must you yield the fruit of the spirit as you progress heavenward in the kingdom of God . [193:2.2] The Birth of the Spirit (P. 2054) The essential first step to becoming a spiritual person is My Father requires of the children of faith that they to be “born of the spirit.” What is the “birth of the spirit”? bear much spiritual fruit . [193:2.2] (P. 2054) The “birth of the spirit” is the change of mind that occurs when we wholeheartedly choose to do the Father’s What Are the Fruits of the Spirit? will. When we make this choice his indwelling spirit is born What are the fruits of the spirit? Basically they are the into the light of our faith. Jesus explained it to Nicodemus character traits that result from our connection with God’s this way: indwelling spirit. They are the characteristics of the Spirit Already does this spirit of the Father in heaven indwell you . that flows through us and we exhibit in our life reactions. If you would be led by this spirit from above, very soon would The domination of a human life by the Father’s spirit is you begin to see with the eyes of the spirit, and then by the always accompanied by a growth in these perfections of wholehearted choice of spirit guidance would you be born of the character. Following is a listing of some of the fruits of the spirit since your only purpose in living would be to do the will of spirit. The first list we are familiar with from the Bible: your Father who is in heaven . [142:6.7] (P. 1602) …the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, long- It is important to realize that the birth of the spirit is suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and a gradual process and is mostly unconscious. When the temperance . [34:6.13] (P. 381) process is complete it culminates in a “birthday.” Here is Jesus presented a second list at one of his last how the revelators describe it: appearances: Religion is functional in the human mind and has been And the fruits of the divine spirit which are yielded in realized in experience prior to its appearance in human the lives of spirit-born and God-knowing mortals are: loving consciousness . A child has been in existence about nine months service, unselfish devotion, courageous loyalty, sincere fairness, before it experiences birth . But the “birth” of religion is not enlightened honesty, undying hope, confiding trust, merciful sudden; it is rather a gradual emergence . Nevertheless, sooner ministry, unfailing goodness, forgiving tolerance, and enduring or later there is a “birth day” . [103:2.1] (P.1130) peace . [193:2.2] (P. 2054) In fact, the fruits of the spirit are basically the character Showing Forth the Fruits of the Spirit traits that Jesus demonstrated in his perfected life on earth. Since the birth of the spirit is a gradual process that When man yields the “fruits of the spirit” in his life, is mostly unconscious, how may we know if we have been he is simply showing forth the traits which the Master born of the spirit? Put simply, if we are born of the spirit we manifested in his own earthly life . [194:3.1] (P. 2062) will begin to show forth the fruits of the spirit in our daily So our first job is to be born of the spirit, but this lives. Here is what Jesus said: spirit birth must be immediately followed by spiritual fruit …those who are born of the spirit will immediately bearing. We must increasingly and spontaneously bear this begin to show forth the fruits of the spirit in loving service spiritual fruit throughout our lives. This is our ever-present to their fellow creatures . [193:2.2] (P. 2054) goal and the measure of our spiritual progress. As we go But be not deceived; while salvation is the free gift of through life we may inquire of ourselves, “Am I increasingly God and is bestowed upon all who accept it by faith, there showing forth the fruits of the spirit in my daily life?” If follows the experience of bearing the fruits of this spirit life we are, we may be confident that we are advancing in the as it is lived in the flesh . [193:1.2] (P.2053) required spiritual training to become an effective teacher- If professed believers bear not these fruits of the divine leader. And in this long spiritual journey it is good to spirit in their lives, they are dead . [193:2.2] (P. 2054) remind ourselves that: The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to We must also realize that the Father requires of his live loyally each day a tadpole . [100:1.4] (P. 1094) faithful followers not only that they bear the fruits of the

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 22 Growing Up to Spiritual Adulthood For further study and contemplation to guide us in We cannot stand still in the kingdom. We must go attaining the requisite spirituality the following are highly forward, and the culminating result of such growth and recommended: advancement is spiritual adulthood and maturity. As new (See Appendix 2 “Meditation in The Urantia Book” by teacher-leaders we must understand that to effectively Peter Holly) reveal Jesus we will have to reach spiritual adulthood. We Paper 100 Religion in Human Experience. The Urantia are called to be living examples of the mature spirituality Book that may be attained by a true follower of Jesus. Here is what he taught about growing up to spiritual adulthood and Sample Prayers: maturity: “May I increasingly show forth the fruit of the spirit in You may enter the kingdom as a child, but the Father my daily life.” requires that you grow up, by grace, to the full “Jesus, live again in me.” stature of spiritual adulthood . [193:2.2] (P. 2054) (my “Jesus, fill me with your spirit.” bold) “Jesus, shine through me.” Childlike trust secures man’s entrance into the kingdom of heavenly ascent, but progress is wholly dependent on the vigorous exercise of the robust and confident faith of the full- The Spiritual Regeneration Requirement grown man . [102:1.1] (P. 1118) (my bold) The second major requirement we will consider is the Though Jesus taught that faith, simple childlike belief, directive that we be “exclusively devoted to the spiritual is the key to the door of the kingdom, he also taught that, regeneration of men.” Notice that this directive gives us a having entered the door, there are progressive steps of clear and well-defined goal, the “spiritual regeneration” of righteousness which every believing child must ascend in others. This is the specific and exclusive work we are called order to grow up to the full stature of the robust sons to, and it gives focus and power to our efforts. of God . [170:3.2] (P. 1861) (my bold) (See Appendix 1.3 Four Step Progression to Spiritual First, Be Spiritually Regenerated Ourselves Adulthood) If we truly seek to be a force for spiritual regeneration in others we should recognize that to be most effective we Jesus Lives Again in Us must be spiritually regenerated ourselves. Only after having Spiritual adulthood and maturity qualifies us to been born of the spirit and having achieved a sufficient progress to an even higher state of spirituality. This is the measure of spiritual advancement, are we are rightly level wherein Jesus, through his indwelling spirit of Truth, prepared to effect spiritual regeneration in others. is enabled to live again in us. The most successful teacher- leaders will reach this exalted state. This will make them Spiritual Regeneration of Others through Personal truly effective representatives and ministers of Jesus. It is Contact this level of spirituality that the revelators call for: We must realize that our greatest power to spark The world needs to see Jesus living again on spiritual regeneration will come not through our teachings, earth in the experience of spirit-born mortals who but rather through the contact of others with our spirit- effectively reveal the Master to all men. [195:10.1] (P. filled presence. It is the example of our spirit-dominated 2084; (my bold) life, especially in the midst of our secular and materialistic The new teacher-leaders are called to attain that world, that will be most effective in inspiring spiritual level of spirituality such that their lives naturally reflect regeneration in others. Jesus and his inner spirit. Just as Jesus provided a living demonstration of his religion to his day and age, so are Why Exclusively devoted to Spiritual Regeneration? we called to be the living demonstrations of Jesus and his We should also note that we are called to be exclusively teachings to our modern world. We must be spirit-filled devoted to spiritual regeneration. Why exclusively? Here is such that when others see us they may see Jesus! the context in which we find the exclusivity requirement: (See Appendix 1.4 Jesus Lives Again in Us) If Christianity persists in neglecting its spiritual mission (See Appendix 1.5 Summary of the Spirituality while it continues to busy itself with social and material Requirement)

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 23 problems, the spiritual renaissance must await the coming of Distinguish the Religion of Jesus from the these new teachers of Jesus’ religion who will be exclusively Religion about Jesus devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men . [195:9.4](P. 2082) There are three especially important reasons for this Thus we see that the reason for exclusively devoting directive. ourselves to spiritual regeneration derives from the fact that The first reason derives from the fact that the world Christianity has increasingly neglected its spiritual mission knows Jesus only through the lens of Christianity. Most and substituted a focus on social and material problems. people do not have any idea that there is a religion of Jesus Professed followers of Jesus have become diverted from that is separate and apart from Christianity, which has his commission to “effect the spiritual transformation of evolved as a religion about Jesus. His original gospel has successive generations of mankind ”. [195:9.10] (P. 2083) been submerged within the overall Christian message. And We are to avoid the mistake of Christianity. We must the true teachings of Jesus are identified with many non- not be distracted and diverted from our work; we are called Jesusonian teachings. to an exclusively spiritual mission. As new teacher-leaders Further, Christianity early on began the process of we must focus our efforts on this one clear goal—the applying all of Jesus’ teachings regarding his spiritual spiritual regeneration of our fellow man. kingdom to the temporal Christian church. To enter the kingdom, to be born of the spirit and dedicate oneself Working for Spiritual Regeneration to doing the Father’s will, was equated to being baptized So how do we go about working for spiritual into the church. Thus an outward social organization was regeneration? substituted for Jesus concept of an inner spiritual kingdom. We may take our first step by simply choosing to work For these and other reasons Jesus’ teachings must be clearly for this goal. We can make it a conscious practice in our distinguished from the Christian message. Our work is to everyday life. It involves a new way of looking at others focus on and exalt the teachings of Jesus. and a new way of interacting with them. It is to see them, (See Appendix 1.7 The Substitution Error) not through the lens of our differences, but rather as fellow children of God whom we seek to advance spiritually. Jesus’ Incomparable Teachings We add power to our efforts by praying that we may A clue to the second reason for depending solely on be a force for spiritual regeneration in others. We may pray Jesus and his incomparable teachings is contained within that Jesus live again in us and that he work through us to the directive itself. His teachings are indeed incomparable. spiritually inspire and uplift those we contact. Here is the They are the highest and greatest and most truly valuable ideal the revelators call us to live up to: teachings ever to appear on planet earth. They are divine Jesus’ disciples should be more than conquerors, even and perfect. All other teachings may be judged by their overflowing sources of inspiration and enhanced living to compatibility with the teachings of Jesus. He is our all men . [195:10.] (P. 2084) touchstone to truth.

The Requirement to Depend Solely on Jesus The Value of Jesus’ Life Demonstrating His Teachings The last major requirement we will consider is the His teachings are best understood by observing directive that we “dare to depend solely on Jesus and his the perfected life he lived on earth. The perfection of incomparable teachings ”. personality and character he developed in living a trying (See Appendix 1.6 The Need for Courage) and testing earth life provides an ideal example for us to emulate in our own lives. Jesus life is so valuable because Why the Exclusivity Requirement? it is not just a theoretical construct of an ideal moral Let us consider the exclusivity requirement. Why are philosophy, but rather a living demonstration of the we called to depend solely on Jesus and his teachings? Why spiritual character he taught. This combination of teaching not, for example, depend on the best of Christianity, which the ideal character and then providing a real life example of The Urantia Book calls “the best of the religions of the that character is our most valuable knowledge. twentieth century?” Or why not depend on a synthesis of Of all human knowledge that which is of greatest the greatest teachings of all the world’s religions? value is to know the religious life of Jesus and how he lived it . [196:1.3] (P. 2090) (See Appendix 1.8 The Living Jesus)

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 24 Only Jesus and his Teachings Possess the Power to The Spirit of Truth Is Our Partner and Guide Triumph over the Modern Threats to Civilization and It should be clear that a revival of the actual teachings Bring the Spiritual Renaissance of Jesus that displaces the Christian teachings about Jesus is The third reason for the exclusivity requirement is the a gigantic task, and will not be easy. However, we may take fact that only Jesus and his incomparable teachings possess solace and encouragement from the fact that our efforts to the power to bring about the spiritual renaissance. The reveal Jesus will not be solitary. We are not undertaking Urantia Book tells us that Christianity “has truly been one this great work alone. The Spirit of Truth will be our full of the greatest powers for good on the earth” [195:10.12] partner, in fact our guiding partner, in this great enterprise. (P. 2085). It has done its job carrying the kingdom of Jesus’ The fact that Jesus’ Spirit of Truth was poured out upon concept forward for 2000 years, up to and through our us at Pentecost means that we are specially equipped to present material and secular age. But now more is needed. achieve our mission. In fact, our new revelation of Jesus’ Only Jesus and his personal religion possess the power to life and teachings is really a part of the ongoing mission of see us through the three great problems that our world now the Spirit of Truth to reveal Jesus to each new generation of faces: spiritual non-progression, materialistic secularism, mortals on earth. Here is what the revelators tell us: and unceasing social change. Only Jesus and his teachings …the Spirit of Truth came to help the believer to possess the power to stabilize us in this time of crisis and witness to the realities of Jesus’ teachings and his life as he triumph over these modern threats to civilization. Only lived it in the flesh… . [194:2.6] (P. 2061) (my bold) through Jesus and his teachings will we attain the new This spirit was bestowed for the purpose of qualifying spiritual renaissance. Here is how the revelators put it: believers more effectively to preach the gospel of the Christianity has indeed done a great service to this kingdom… [194:3.5] (P. 2063) (my bold) world but what is now most needed is Jesus . [195:10.1] (P. We should always remember and be strengthened by 2084; my bold) the fact that our revelation of Jesus will be accomplished in (See Appendix 1.9 Summary of Reasons for the partnership with his Spirit of Truth working in and through Exclusivity Requirement) us. We are not fighting alone, but rather in partnership with the God of the universe. Jesus’ spirit will help and How Do We Work for the Spiritual Renaissance guide us. Our part is to maintain our spiritual connection while Depending Solely on Jesus? with him and grow ever more receptive to his spiritual We have discussed several reasons for depending solely guidance. on Jesus. Now let us turn to another related question. How? (See Appendix 1.11 Spiritual Weapons) How do we go about the prosecution of our task to bring about a spiritual renaissance, all the while depending solely Focus on the Best of the Bible, Jesus Actual on Jesus and his teachings? Life and Teachings (See Appendix 1.10 Learn, Live, and Teach the Way of In seeking a revival of the actual teachings of Jesus Jesus) we must keep in mind that the world knows Jesus only through the Bible and Christianity. As much as we might Pray and Commune wish otherwise, the spiritual revival of Jesus and his actual Depending on Jesus begins with our inner life. We must teachings is not going to happen through a widespread consistently look to Jesus within for help and guidance both acknowledgement of the truth of The Urantia Book. in our personal lives and in our ministry. The worldwide acceptance of a 2000 page book that Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches ”. This presents itself as a new revelation of truth will take tine, is a wonderful idea to meditate on. Remember also his and will really come to pass only after the present world teaching to “abide in me” and “live in my love.” He urges us crisis is behind us and we have entered the new spiritual to “commune freely with me” and to “maintain this living renaissance. I believe that The Urantia Book will be the spiritual connection with me ”. [180:2.1] (P. 1945) These Bible of this oncoming new age; it will be like a third teachings, when followed, strengthen our inner life and our testament that will guide us in the more spiritual age that is ministry. In my experience the idea that we can maintain a to follow our present material age. spiritual connection with Jesus is quite powerful. This means that we cannot justify our teaching of Jesus by reference to The Urantia Book. We must use the resources that are at hand, and our first and most

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 25 basic resource is the record of the life and teachings of and false doctrines, generally associated with the Bible and Jesus as found in the New Testament gospels of Matthew, Christianity. These words from the gospels are recognized Mark, Luke, and John. These records, sparse as they are and honored by Christians all over the world and by many in comparison to the Urantia Papers, are our most basic others as well. In fact, the pure life and teachings of Jesus, resource. Besides the New Testament gospels we have two freed from the surrounding Christian teachings and dogma, other very important resources that will compliment our should also prove acceptable both to non-believers and to usage of the Biblical record. First, we have The Urantia those of other faiths. The book itself is always well received Book to deepen and broaden our understanding of as a gift, thereby providing an acceptable and trustworthy Scripture, correct errors, and clear up misinterpretations. revelation of Jesus that we can leave with others for Second, we have Jesus’ indwelling spirit to both guide us guidance, comfort, and inspiration. It is an easy way to and aid our ministry, and to work in others, to aid their transmit the true teachings of Jesus, here and now. understanding and acceptance of our teaching. The Future A New Resource: The Life and Teachings of Jesus What does our future hold? What will be the results Today I am happy to announce that there is another of our efforts? Following is an outline of how I believe our significant resource available to us. I am referring to this mission will unfold. book, The Life and Teachings of Jesus, which I first published in 1991. It was created as a resource for those who seek Our Target Audience is the Christian World to teach Jesus in the exclusive manner mandated by the As we dedicate ourselves to this undertaking it is revelators. I began work on this book in the early 80’s. My instructive to first consider our target audience, those goal was to produce an acceptable and trustworthy source who will be most receptive to our new message of Jesus. of truth that I could give to others for guidance, comfort, Here we should clearly realize that our work must be and inspiration. directed primarily to the Christian world. After all it is The basic idea for the book was to take all the true with Christians that we have the greatest affinity and verses regarding Jesus from the Bible and put them together shared beliefs, both moral and spiritual. It is Christianity in their proper sequence based on the chronology of The that recognizes and teaches Jesus as both the Son of God Urantia Book. Erroneous passages, such as the virgin birth and the Son of man. It is also Christianity that stands in or walking on water, were simply left out. The goal was to desperate need of new contact with Jesus and of deliverance produce a book of Jesus’ life and teachings that would be from its error of emphasizing teachings about Jesus to the fully acceptable to most Christians and at the same time be detriment of the actual teachings of Jesus. And crucially, fully harmonious with the teachings of The Urantia Book. it is the Christian church that contains within itself the My first use of the book was at graduation ceremonies at a actual kingdom of Jesus’ teaching—the divine brotherhood small school I founded many years ago. At these ceremonies of believers who have chosen to do the Father’s will. Here is I presented each departing student with a copy of the book, how the revelators describe the situation: and I am happy to report that it was always well received. More recently the book has been given at graduation Jesus’ Kingdom Presently Exists within ceremonies at a small seminary in Texas. Also a number of the Christian Church readers have reported that they have successfully used the Thus does the so-called Christian church become the book to teach Sunday school. In India a group of some 30 cocoon in which the kingdom of Jesus’ concept now pastors has used it for years to guide their ministry. It has slumbers. The kingdom of the divine brotherhood is still even been translated into Telegu, their native language, alive and will eventually and certainly come forth from for wider distribution. This group of Christian pastors this long submergence, just as surely as the butterfly eventually uses both the Bible and The Life and Teachings in their emerges as the beautiful unfolding of its less attractive creature services. of metamorphic development . [170:5.21] (P. 1866) (my bold) I do believe this book can be a valuable tool in our We may learn much from these words; they contain efforts to expand the revelation of Jesus. It provides us three important insights: First, the revelators make clear with a restatement of Jesus’ life and teachings that is that Jesus’ brotherhood of the kingdom presently exists wholly constructed from Biblical passages, while at the within the Christian church. Second, they reveal that this same time it is free from the misinterpretations, errors,

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 26 divine brotherhood is in a passive state, slumbering and kingdom by faith in Jesus’ teaching that God is our Father, submerged within Christianity. And third, they prophesy and then by choosing to do our Father’s will. Jesus showed that this brotherhood will eventually awaken and come us the way to life in the kingdom with his two great prayers, forth in a higher and more advanced form. “your will be done,” and “Not my will but yours be done.” In his first appearance after the crucifixion Jesus made Focus on Awakening Slumbering Christian Believers clear to his assembled followers that, “Sonship with God This prophecy points to a special focus for our efforts. by faith is still the saving truth of the gospel of the kingdom ”. This slumbering brotherhood presently stands in need of [193:0.4] (P. 2052) He emphasized that what the world awakening and spiritual rebirth. It is we who are called to needs most to know is that we are all sons and daughters provide a new revelation of Jesus that will awaken these of God and through faith we may actually realize and daily sleeping Christians to higher levels of spiritual living. experience this great truth. In our work we must always Bringing about the spiritual rebirth of Jesus’ brotherhood of teach others to see themselves as sons and daughters of the kingdom will be our first major step in the initiation of God, our loving heavenly Father. the spiritual renaissance. Here again is the revelators’ call: The call to the adventure of building a new and The Success of Our Mission transformed human society by means of the spiritual rebirth Will our efforts succeed? Consider these prophetic of Jesus’ brotherhood of the kingdom should thrill all who statements from the revelators that outline both the history believe in him…. [195:10.6] (P. 2084) (my bold) and future evolution of the religion of Jesus on our planet: The teachings of Jesus, even though greatly modified, Unified Christians Will Help Bring the New Revelation survived the mystery cults of their birth time, the ignorance to the World and superstition of the dark ages, and are even now slowly The Christian world is presently divided into many triumphing over the materialism, mechanism, and denominations, sects, and cults. The only hope of a secularism of the twentieth century. [195:9.3] (P. 2082) (my unification of Christianity lies in a return to Jesus’ original bold) gospel of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of [The Christian] church is only the larval stage of the man. This is also part of our work. By our exclusive focus thwarted spiritual kingdom, which will carry it through this on Jesus’ actual teachings we will supply the foundation material age and over into a more spiritual dispensation for the unification of the various Christian churches. And where the Master’s teachings may enjoy a fuller as this revival of Jesus and his original gospel comes to opportunity for development. [170:5.21] (P. 1866) (my bold) Christianity, many believers will then join our efforts to bring this gospel to the world at large. According to The The following quotes are two of my favorites. They Urantia Book this is the great hope of our world: foretell victory over the powerful forces of materialism and The great hope of Urantia lies in the possibility of a new secularism, and a wonderful new spiritual age to follow: revelation of Jesus with a new and enlarged presentation of his A new and fuller revelation of the religion of Jesus is saving message which would spiritually unite in loving service destined to conquer an empire of materialistic secularism the numerous families of his present day professed followers . and to overthrow a world sway of mechanistic naturalism . [195:10.15] (P. 2086) (my bold) [195:9.2] (P. 2082) (my bold) Urantia is now quivering on the very brink of The Gospel of the Kingdom one of its most amazing and enthralling epochs of What is this “saving message” that would spiritually social readjustment, moral quickening, and spiritual unite the various Christian cults? It is Jesus’ original gospel enlightenment. [195:9.2 (P. 2082) (my bold) of the kingdom, the good news that we are all sons and daughters of God, our loving heavenly Father, and brothers Let Us Go Forward and sisters to one another. It is this simple gospel of the So, let us go forward! We have our marching orders Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man that has and the encouraging vision of our final triumph. We are to the power to unite Christianity. bring a new revelation of Jesus to our world, one that will The kingdom Jesus taught is the Father’s will dominant undo the teachings about Jesus and replace them with the and transcendent in the heart of the believer. We enter the actual teachings of Jesus. Our work will spark a glorious

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 27 new spiritual renaissance. We will awaken slumbering Your initial training will focus on the first great Christian believers to a more inspiring vision of Jesus and a requirement of becoming “spiritual men and women.” You deeper, clearer understanding of his original gospel. These must be born of the spirit and undergo the long spiritual newly awakened Christians will join our efforts to expand assent through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the true religion of Jesus to both the Christian and the maturity, to that high estate wherein Jesus, through his non-Christian worlds. spirit of truth, is enabled to live again in you. Essentially, This revival of Jesus’ original gospel of the Fatherhood this means you must consistently choose to do the Father’s of God and the brotherhood of man will also help to will and increasingly show forth the fruits of his spirit in unite the various Christian churches. And a more unified your daily life. Christianity will contribute to the worldwide acceptance Remember, as new teacher-leaders we are called to of Jesus and his actual teachings. The religion of Jesus both teach and lead. We teach by restating Jesus’ actual will eventually triumph and become the dominant world teachings and we lead by living those teachings. Just as religion in the new and more spiritual age we are now “a picture is worth a thousand words,” it is our spirit-filled approaching. presence and our life example that will make our ministry The requirements to be an effective teacher-leader are truly effective. great and not all will attain the high level of spirituality So let us be the ones who fulfillThe Urantia Book’s required. However each person may participate in their prophecy of the coming of new teacher-leaders. Let us be own way up to the level they choose. Just as there were the ones who answer the call to bring to our “dark and various levels of devotion in Jesus’ followers, so there will confused world” a new revelation of Jesus and a bright new be various levels of participation by those who work for the spiritual renaissance. new revelation. In large or small ways all may contribute to the coming triumph of the true religion of Jesus. For example, one easy and effective way to advance Jesus and his original teachings is to present The Life and Teachings Preston Thomas holds BA and MA degrees in philosophy of Jesus as a gift to family, friends, and to those in distress. from the University of Virginia . As an undergraduate Preston I have done this for years with great success and genuine played varsity tennis and he was an NDEA scholar in graduate appreciation from those who received the book. school . After college Preston worked for ten years as a private For those of you who truly feel this call to become a tutor for children with learning disabilities (dyslexia) . In 1981 new teacher-leader, the first step is simple. You may enlist he founded the Einstein School, which provided one to one now by whole-heartedly affirming this choice to your instruction for students with special learning needs, and he Father within. Choose it, affirm it to God, and pray for his served as its director for 27 years . He has presented numerous guidance and blessing. Urantia related papers, and published the third edition of his book, The Life and Teachings of Jesus, which harmonizes the Biblical account of Jesus with The Urantia Book .

“The world is filled with hungry souls who famish in the very presence of the bread of life; men die searching for the very God who lives within them.”

[159:3.8] (P. 1766)

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 28 Unsinkable and Unbreakable

By James Perry, MD, Raleigh, NC Pray Together and for Each Other. This practice is far more difficult than praying for each other separately, for Marion and I would like to share some insights into it requires that all barriers to true intimacy be removed. marriage that we’ve discovered after 52 years of living This practice puts the heavenly Father at the center of your together. We hope these insights will inspire you as you relationship. There is nothing more powerful than a God- begin married life. The wedding ceremony, with all its centered relationship; it is here that you will realize each preparations and with family and friends gathered to other’s sincerity; it is here that trust blossoms, for no moral celebrate, is the beginning of your life together. person would invite the heavenly Father into the center of a After exchanging vows of commitment and loyalty, you relationship unless he/she was sincere. will rest briefly from the routine challenges of life by going Praying together and for each other will help you grow on a honeymoon, where you can enjoy one another without in your understanding and knowledge of each other and external distractions. This will be a glorious time for you, will inspire you to love without conditions. This new level and you will reflect often about how glad you are to have of happiness and satisfaction is based on spiritual reality; found one another. all barriers to intimacy fall away in the trusting presence After the honeymoon, you will face the reality of of the heavenly Father. You will discover you as you learn adjusting to the constant intimacy that marriage requires. to seek the best and live for, one another. Selfishness will You will begin to view each other as you really are, which be replaced by unselfishness, and every important matter is not a bad thing in and of itself, for this is the beginning will be subject to negotiation in good faith except the (or can be) of a true union. Sometimes the shock of relationship itself. discovering the faults of your mate can be overwhelming, as Having a God-centered relationship will not release some faults are hard to accept. either of you from the struggles of living. But it will ensure And when other problems are added to this mix, it that you will keep faith with each other and bravely work becomes very difficult to maintain a growing harmonious together to solve the difficult problems of living according relationship. The problem of making a living is always to the Father’s will. there, along with the many adjustments required for Jesus said that he is the way, the truth, and the life. successfully completing these requirements. Social Reggie and Sherry, your marriage is a path that you can interactions can often be problematic, especially issues with use to follow Jesus. As you do this, you will discover to your family; financial problems are often destabilizing. Add to everlasting satisfaction the love of the heavenly Father as this the realization that you are continually learning new it comes forth from each of your souls, out to one another, things about each other. Well that’s another factor for and then to all others whom you love and serve. emotional discord. You may wonder what happened to the Reggie and Sherry, do you want to have an unsinkable glow of the honeymoon, when everything seemed ideal. and unbreakable marriage? Then learn to truly love one This will be hard if you deeply resent one another’s another, and everything else will take care of itself. Seek more intractable deficiencies. You both will want the other the greater and the lesser will be found therein; seek to person to change into your own image. This is seldom know and do the Father’s will in your lives together. successful. Praying for one another will enable you to become patient and tolerant of each other’s faults. It will help you see one another the way the heavenly Father sees you. He knows your deficiencies and still loves you both I am now a retired physician who practiced General and unconditionally. Family practice Medicine for many years . I now live in Raleigh, A true test of love for one another will be your N C. ,. though the bulk of my professional life was in Henderson, willingness to set aside pride and acknowledge, as you N C. . I was introduced to The Urantia Book in 1977 and have continue to pray for each other, that your mate is doing the studied since that time . I have been tremendously influenced by best that she/he can. its teaching in my personal and professional life .

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 29 The Supreme Being in My Life By Yvon Gagne: Translated from the French by Matthew Block

The following article is from the Fellowship Archives. expressed in the time-space universes is truly unified in the Supreme. The Urantia Book portrays the role of the Supreme on such a magnificent scale that it is often difficult to see The Evolutionary God how each of us fits personally within this gigantic process, The Supreme is not a perfect deity but rather an a process of universal proportions. My aim is to share with experiential deity undergoing the evolutionary process. you my understanding and personal experience of how the The personalities in charge of the physical control of the Supreme enters into our active lives. My remarks reflect universe work ceaselessly to master matter so as to create more my own ways of thinking, living, and expressing stability and harmony in the physical domains. Other myself than any particular teaching. Although the personalities work to perfect their knowledge of all areas, teachings of The Urantia Book are basic to my account, to grow in wisdom and experience. Far from resembling a I will endeavor to relate what I feel in my deepest self in monolith, the Supreme appears rather as a mosaic whose response to the phrase “the consciousness of the Supreme.” unity has yet to be achieved. The Supreme is not a God in the proper sense of the The incessant efforts of the Supreme to unify the term. The Supreme is rather a Deity issuing from the realms of spirit, mind, and matter are reflected in the Paradise Trinity. The Supreme is a super-personality who microcosmic level in the emergence of creative forces encompasses all the developing universes. He is the “project within the mind itself. These are the creative forces manager” of all the stellar infrastructures, coordinating the which impel volitional personalities of the universe to physical, intellectual, and spiritual activities of the grand devote themselves to the construction of organized and universe. The Supreme therefore has a global vision of the spiritualized worlds. All the minded circuits are surcharged plans and the final outworking of the universes of time. by creative forces which stimulate personalities—including Descending directly from the Paradise Trinity, mortals—to develop the material, morontial, and spiritual the Supreme enjoys a rather privileged status. He is domains of our planet. Thanks to this relationship of independent of the three great administrative structures cosmic interdependence, the divine Mother grows with the stemming from the three Paradise Deities. He takes creatures of time. In the same way, human parents grow his orders solely from the Trinity which acts (by way with their children in the experience of parenting. of comparison) as his Thought Adjuster. He enjoys uncontested legitimacy and complete autonomy throughout Personality of the Supreme the universe. The Thought Adjuster is a gift of the Universal Father No one can communicate directly with the Supreme or to the human mind, serving as an active spiritual presence seek to act upon him in any way. Although our relationship in the background of human consciousness. As well as with the Supreme is impersonal, we are born in him, grow stimulating our most profound experiences, the Adjuster in him, and emerge from him as sons and daughters of the acts as a beacon to the mind in situations involving moral universe. and spiritual choosing. He is the source of the inner dynamic of personality and of the desire for perfection. On The Divine Mother a still higher level, the Adjuster is the personal contact with The Supreme plays such a primal role that his presence the Father—the reassuring relationship in prayer and the resembles that of a diving Mother, a mother who carries ecstatic light in worship. within herself al the universes of time and space. The If the Supreme is a personality, then why can’t we influence of the diving Mother is so omnipresent that even contact him personally? We know that the Supreme has not the Thought Adjusters, resembling the Father in nature completed his evolution, and it is this incomplete growth of and in divinity, become similar to the Supreme when they the Supreme Soul that renders his personality inaccessible. penetrate into the cosmos. This transformation of the But one day in the eternal future, all creatures will be Thought Adjusters leaves no doubt that the Father’s will as able to participate simultaneously in the discovery of the

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 30 personality of the Supreme when his perfection will have The Effect of the Supreme in Us been universally attained. The unified functioning of these spiritual influences, which we refer to as the Supreme in us, generates attitudes Other Influences and the Supreme of the soul which are sublime and rather difficult to define. How do we relate the Supreme to the various For example: influences which surround us, such as the Thought • a profound feeling of personal unity Adjuster, the Spirit of Truth, and the Holy Spirit? These • a state of profound and dynamic peace spiritual influences both internally and externally, have • a sense of exceptional moral responsibility diverse origins and act differently to influence us in • a great desire for accomplishment, even a certainty of different ways. having a personal destiny or a special task to fulfil The Thought Adjuster is a gift of the Universal Father • a special type of discernment bo to the human mind, serving as an active spiritual presence • bordering on the visionary, a sensitivity to the great in the background of human consciousness. As well as ethical, moral, and spiritual questions stimulating our most profound experiences, the Adjuster • a strongly marked sense of justice and equity; a acts as a beacon to the mind in situations involving moral feeling of belonging to the cosmic community an over- and spiritual choosing. He is the source of the inner passing generosity dynamic of personality and of the desire for perfection. On • vital energy a still higher level, the Adjuster is the personal contact with • and much more the Father—the reassuring relationship in prayer and the ecstatic light in worship. The sum total of these states of the soul denotes an The Spirit of Truth is defined in The Urantia Book intense and dynamic spiritual sensitivity accompanied by a as the bestowal of the Creator Son of our local universe. desire to surpass oneself. While the Thought Adjuster operates on the active level of thought, the Spirit of Truth operates on the reactive level, Cosmic Morality on a whole gamut of positive or negative impressions, true Our relation with the Supreme is the foundation for or false, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, or yet again on states cosmic morality, the universal sensitivity to duty, and its of the soul which are characterized by interior conviction, acceptance. Cosmic morality is not what one might think spiritual sensitivity, the sentiment of communion, and at first, i.e. a doctrine which teaches us what to do and profound peace. Collective, the Spirit of Truth harmonizes what not to do. Cosmic morality aims to determine the values as they evolve not only on any single inhabited supreme ends of life and to exercise faith in commitment to planet but in the whole local universe. The Spirit of Truth these ends. is the schema of common references bringing to bear a Cosmic morality expresses itself to powerful appeals to vision of values which we accept at once as our own and the conscience, in situations appealing to moral duty, and share among ourselves. to the sense of responsibility. The appeals to conscience The Holy Spirit derives from the Spirit Mother of our embrace the great ethical, moral, and spiritual questions local universe. The Urantia Book tells us that the Holy confronting our own day and age. It also reveals a Spirit is spiritual reason and the intelligence of the soul. We universal sensitivity to duty which transcends the strict understand spiritual intelligence to mean the emergence family and social milieu, a sensitivity which crosses of a mind capable of both conceptual order abstract religious, cultural, and language barriers. thinking with regard to the spiritual world. If the Thought Adjuster and the Spirit of Truth are the source of our most A Universal Force profound aspirations, the Holy Spirit translates them into The Supreme: meanings for the reason and finality for the soul. The Holy • may be seen as God engaging man in the tireless Spirit stimulates reflection on values and authorizes self- work of improving the material and spiritual conditions of criticism, thus allowing us to reach the level of personal and life on earth authentic thought. • may be defined as a sublime cosmic ideal which dominates the soul • may appear to be the God of brotherly love

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 31 energizing the whole universe universe, will change. An embryonic form of planetary • may also manifest as the inner need to lose ourselves consciousness is now growing, and is leading us to the in others, to touch the world with all the human solidarity stage of conscious and collective responsibility. The required by the brotherhood of the sons and daughters of consciousness of the Supreme does not emerge in our minds God to complicate our peaceful lives but rather to solve problems • consciousness of the Supreme may even urge the related to our individual and collective growth. most zealous among us to engage in personal missions The consciousness of the Supreme renders us spiritual which may, in the eyes of most, seem to be lost causes. pillars in the service of the Reserve Corps of Destiny, composed of volunteers and thinkers who are sincerely The Planetary Consciousness devoted to the service of the human fraternity as our planet What are the signs that the consciousness of the slowly advances toward the age of light and life. Because of Supreme is evolving on a planet such as ours? The the vital growth we play in the very growth of the universe, discovery of the physical laws which govern the material the Supreme confers on each of us the status of potential world has gradually liberated us from the metaphysics of universe citizen, a citizen with virtually boundless rights fear, superstition, and guilt. and privileges, but also with duties and responsibility In the future, it won’t be so much that humanity worthy of the most beautiful of destinies offered in this age. will change, as that our vision of society, our vision of humanity, our vision of the planet, and our vision of the

Words Of Wisdom Trivia Quiz

The following quiz was given in the Herald in 2015. How many of the answers can you remember?

1. “There is no real religion apart from a highly active______.” [102:2.7] (P. 1120)

2. “Faith acts to release the______activities of the divine spark.” [132:3.6] (P. 1459)

3. “The contemplation of the immature and inactive human intellect should lead only to

reactions of______. [9:5.7] (P. 103)

4. “The soul of man requires spiritual______as well as spiritual ______. [91:7.2] (P. 1000)

5. “Personal peace integrates______. [140:5.18] (P. 1575)

6. “Trustworthiness is the true measure of self-mastery,______. [28:6.13] (P.. 315)

7. “…graciousness is the aroma of______which emanates from a love-saturated soul.”

[171:7.1] (P. 1874)

8. “Uncertainty with______is the essence of the Paradise adventure.” [111:7.1] (P. 1223)

9. “…lack of spiritual brotherhood is both______and reprehensible.” [170:5.20] (P. 1866)

10. “Commerce has been the great civilizer through promoting the cross-fertilization of

______. [69:4.8] (P. 775)

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 32 The Eden-Atlantis Project The Proposed Archeological Site of Eden and Atlantis in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Commodore Robert Stanley Bates eastern Mediterranean at a very distant time. In particular, United States Merchant Marine the data resulting from our 2006 sub-bottom profiler (SBP) survey yielded some unexpected results that have Copyright © 2018 Batek Marine Publishing not been previously understood: It points to the existence of at least two very large human-built artifacts that were Plato’s legendary account of a sunken island civilization able to survive war, flooding, and violent tectonic plate that he called Atlantis—or what some call Eden—has activity in pre-historic times. As I will show, this new fascinated adventurers for centuries. But the sophisticated data significantly increases our knowledge about human archeological search for this lost culture as had to wait activities on this sunken continent, and if my interpretation for our time, with its digital technology and advanced is correct, it points to the need for a third expedition to this underwater research capabilities. site. Recent efforts to find the vanished island have, I believe, culminated in two exciting underwater surveys in The Story of Eden in The Urantia Book the Eastern Mediterranean that were staged in 2004 and The most specific information about what I call the 2006. Each of these expeditions uncovered tantalizing Eden-Atlantis legend can be found, of course, in The evidence, and both were initiated by Urantia Book Urantia Book, which purports to describe the site of the students looking for what they believe are the remnants of original Eden on the basis of its claim that the biblical story the First Garden. of Adam and Eve refers to an actual historic event. The In this essay, I argue that our search for this pre-historic Urantia Revelation provides a detailed narrative of the life civilization may now be narrowed to sunken land adjacent of Adam and Eve, which it states is offered to the modern to the island of Cyprus, a virtual underwater continent that world as a corrective to the distorted ideas handed down in geologists located decades ago. In recognition of the likely Genesis. confluence of the two great legends of Atlantis and Eden, Most notably for our purposes, the UB reveals the I call the ongoing archeological research into this sunken physical location of what it names as the “First Garden of continent the Eden-Atlantis Project. Eden,” calling it: “… a long narrow peninsula—almost The main purpose of this essay is to offer you a an island—projecting westward from the eastern shores thorough review of recently obtained archeological of the Mediterranean Sea ”. [73.3.1] (P. 823) It continues: evidence pointing to this Eastern Mediterranean location “The coast line of this land mass was considerably for Eden-Atlantis. Please note before we go further: elevated, and the neck connecting with the mainland was This essay offers a digest of a short book, The Eden- only twenty-seven miles wide at the narrowest point . The Atlantis Project, that is available at my website, www. great river that watered the Garden came down from the edenatlantisproject.org; color versions of the images in this higher lands of the peninsula and flowed east through the piece are available in the book and at this website. peninsular neck to the mainland and thence across the My ultimate objective is to provide a novel explanation lowlands of Mesopotamia to the sea beyond ”. [73.3.4] (P. of the data acquired in the 2004 and 2006 expeditions. I 823) offer this new interpretation not only because I played a The Urantia text further states: “At the center of vital part in both efforts, but because I have spent almost the Edenic peninsula was the exquisite stone temple of 15 years in ongoing reflection on our findings. This the Universal Father, the sacred shrine of the Garden ”. intensive focus has inspired me over these many years to [73:5.1] (P. 824) Mention of a central hill (i.e., the general embark on a journey to a wide variety of related geological location of this temple), as well as mound-building activity, and historical sources that provide support to my revised is provided in the following narrative: “Adam and Eve interpretation. The result today is that I believe we may were escorted to the formal reception on the great mound have uncovered, without realizing it, unmistakable human to the north of the temple . This natural hill had been infrastructure on this landmass that was submerged in the enlarged and made ready for the installation of the

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 33 world’s new rulers ”. [74.2.5] (P. 829) As we continue on, depart from the previous views that only Cro-Magnon consider the possibility of a link between this enlarged hunter-gatherers lived in the surrounding lands during “great mound” and the “hill of no great size” that is that time frame. For example, in the June 2016 edition “covered” as mentioned by Plato. of Discover magazine, an article reported that: “About The Urantia Book further states concerning the 100,000 years ago tall, long-limbed humans lived in the infrastructure of Eden: “The sanitary arrangements of the caves of Qafzeh, east of Nazareth, and Skhul, on Israel’s Garden were far in advance of anything that had been Mount Carmel. Their remains suggest a surprisingly attempted theretofore on Urantia . The drinking water of sophisticated people defying the conventional timeline Eden was kept wholesome by the strict observance of the of Homo sapiens’ migration “out of Africa.”1 In addition, sanitary regulations designed to conserve its purity…” a plethora of evidence from around the Mediterranean (73.5.3) (P. 824) Most important for our investigation is should be considered. This evidence includes unexplained this statement: “Before the disruption of the Adamic cave drawings in Spain and France as far distant as over regime a covered brick-conduit disposal system had been 30,000 years, as well as regions that bordered the eastern constructed which ran beneath the walls and emptied into Mediterranean Sea in those prehistoric days—such as the river of Eden almost a mile beyond the outer or lesser present-day Egypt and most notably the very remarkable wall of the Garden ”. [73.5.3] (P. 824) findings at the Golbeki Tepi archaeological site in modern- It is also worth noting that in The Urantia Book day Turkey—all of which point to the likelihood of highly version of this story, Eden-Atlantis met a similar fate as intelligent inhabitants of a local advanced civilization. that described in other narratives about Atlantis: “…in Fortunately, scientists have discovered a sunken continent connection with the violent activity of the surrounding in that general neighborhood, and this land is an excellent volcanoes and the submergence of the Sicilian land bridge candidate for the location of the original source-civilization to Africa, the eastern floor of the Mediterranean Sea that branched out and blossomed around that region sank, carrying down beneath the waters the whole of the thousands of years before the times of Sumeria and Egypt. Edenic peninsula ”. [73.7.1] (P. 826) In addition, previous to its sinking, catastrophic warfare had emptied out the Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent peninsula of its original inhabitants. [75:5-6] (P. 844) The foregoing is a lot to absorb. But to a large extent Because of the detailed and potentially verifiable these various claims fit together comfortably when we look information it provides, a student of The Urantia Book more closely at the candidate for the physical venue of the named Robert Sarmast chose to explore the physical Eden-Atlantis story, to which we now turn. This area is location given in The Urantia Book. Before his two generally called the Levantine Basin by geologists, and the historic expeditions in 2004 and 2006, he claimed in a part of the Levantine Basin that is of greatest interest to us widely reviewed book that this location “conformed to 48 is what I like to call Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent. out of 50” clues about Atlantis provided by Plato. This site, Again, the general location of our venue is the eastern he said, was one mile down in the waters of the eastern Mediterranean. Thanks to the many marine geophysicists Mediterranean Sea between Cyprus and Syria. who have studied it for decades, we now know a lot about I believe that the features reported not only by The this region. Of special note in this connection is the work Urantia Book and the Bible, but also by other ancient of John K. Hall, PhD. In 1970, Hall became the first marine narratives such as the well-known Sumerian text known as geophysicist to work for the Geological Survey of Israel. He Enki and the World Order and Plato’s account of Atlantis founded the Israel National Bathymetric Survey to map in his dialogues Critias and Timaeus, point us to the the seas around Israel, and his work continued for 35 years. likely location of the Eden-Atlantis site and the need for In his 2005 work, Geological Framework of the Levant,2 he advanced archeological research in this area. According explains that this underwater region sits at the junction of to my interpretation of the sources and also the writings of three tectonic plates. Sarmast, this research will take us back to a time when this The Levantine Basin is traditionally the island was above water and habitable. deep basin at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Recent archeological findings from around the The region hosts the junction of three plates, Mediterranean also support the idea that this area was whose interaction has produced complex structures. inhabited and settled in very far distant times. Remarkable Because of its relative remoteness, and the uneasy new archeological evidence and lingering pools of genetics relationships between the seven national entities

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 34 along its littoral, the area was not easy to investigate. been significant tectonic instability in this area. However, the probing since the 1970s has shown We read in the Urantia text that “violent” volcanic that the basin is filled with a great quantity of activity at the juncture of these plates, combined with a sediments (12 meters or more), and that the nature massive tectonic shift further to the west near present-day of its underpinnings is not simple. Many investigators Sicily, caused this area to sink far beneath the waves. If have studied the area. Some have returned again and true, this event was a tectonic calamity. In fact, it may have again to this problematic place. caused (or was caused by) the so-called Great Flood that According to Hall, this area has been studied using the is referred to in many ancient myths that we noted earlier. tools of bathymetry, gravity, magnetics, seismic reflection, This pre-historic flood may have occurred when, according seismic refraction, teleseismic investigations, and submarine once again to the Urantia text: “…in connection with geology based on coring, drilling, and dredging. In the the violent activity of the surrounding volcanoes and the passage that follows the one quoted above, Hall refers to submergence of the Sicilian land bridge to Africa, the Robert Sarmast’s research, which is in large part based on eastern floor of the Mediterranean Sea sank, carrying the work of a Russian geologist named Malovitskiy: down beneath the waters the whole of the Edenic The region’s recent history also seems to beckon. peninsula ”. [73:7.1] (P. 826) From the pioneering study of our colleague Ya’akov This sunken land that I call Malovitskiy’s Sunken Petrovitch Malovitskiy3 (1978) who proposed on the Continent became the focus of study in the 1990s by the basis of seismic investigations that the Levantine previously mentioned American explorer, author, and Basin was a sunken continent, we advance to Urantia Book student, Robert Sarmast. He wrote and recent extrapolations (Sarmast, 2003) regarding the lectured in those years on his theories about Atlantis, ‘finding’ of Atlantis at depths of 1,500 m between postulating the existence of an extraordinary civilization the West Tartus Ridge and the Gelendzhik Rise, at this location. As I mentioned, he also had in mind—but based upon a computer analysis of the Russian did not mention publicly—The Urantia Book’s statements Research Vessel (R/V) Strakhov’s multibeam about the location of Eden. When not speaking to soundings. audiences of Urantia Book students, Sarmast switched out Eden for Atlantis; like him, I think of the two as identical, but unlike him I am prepared to refer to the Urantia material publicly. In 2003 Sarmast published Discovery of Atlantis,4 which makes the case that Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent is the lost continent of Atlantis (and implicitly Eden). Among his most striking claims of evidence was the digital reconstruction of the sunken continent shown below in Figure 3 that’s based on data chosen from among the many scientific surveys of this region to which the geologist Hall refers. To support his thesis, Sarmast mounted a privately funded exploratory expedition in 2004, drawing Figure 2. Map of the three plates to which Dr. Hall refers: Anatolian, financial support from a large number of Urantia Arabian and African. (Courtesy of National Geographic Magazine, Book students, with the aim of probing the surface of the October 2002, p. 125) sunken content using a research technology known as The target area of our research sits at the point of side-scan sonar. The second edition of his book in 2006 convergence of the Anatolian, Arabian, and African plates, incorporated the results of this survey, after which Sarmast as shown in Figure 2. This region is located on that part led a widely publicized expedition in November 2006 that of the African Plate that is wedged between Cyprus, Syria, was funded, filmed, and broadcast by The History Channel. and Lebanon. According to geologists, for millions of years the African plate has been sliding down (or “subducting’) beneath the Anatolian Plate while also being subjected to pressures from the Arabian Plate. The result over time has

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 35 Notably, the well-defined ridges that appeared in the center (based on the multibeam bathymetric IFREMER data), seemed to support Sarmast’s claim that some sort of megalithic structures existed within the black square in figure4 .

Figure 3. Eastern Mediterranean basin with sea level lowered digitally one mile. (Courtesy of Robert Sarmast, R/V Strakhov, NOAA, USGS and Scotia Group imagery)

The First Expedition in 2004 Initially, Sarmast planned the 2004 expedition based on bathymetric data that Hall had published in 1994. The data had originally been acquired by the Russian R/V Academik Nikolaj Strakhov and Sarmast used it to generate the image in Figure 3. The Strakhov’s expeditions, Figure 4. Central part of Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent. (From which were completed in 1987 and 1990, used a sonar IFREMER scan data and Scotia Group imagery) technique known as bathymetric multibeam scanning. Sarmast received this raw data, which he then sent for An enlarged graphical display of this structure is analysis to marine geophysicist Patrick Lowry at the Scotia provided in Figure 5, which depicts what appears to be a Group in Dallas, Texas. Lowry returned 3-D graphic 3700-meter-long, narrow, regular, linear Y-formation in the images that presented a fairly detailed map of Malovitskiy’s northern part of the area. In addition, just to the south Sunken Continent. Lowry “computerized” the lowering of was a 2800-meter-long irregular low tabular mound about the water level in that end of the Mediterranean Sea (using 110 meters high and varying between 500 to 800 meters as a template from the R/V Strakhov’s scans), allowing wide. Also in evidence are scarp-like features half way up Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent to emerge. It became when the mound, leading off to both the eastern and western the sea level was lowered 1500 meters, or about one mile, as sides. (A scarp is a very steep bank or slope.) This general seen in Figure 3. area became the primary target of both the 2004 and 2006 But in 2003, the R/V Le Suroît from L’Institut Français expeditions. Bear in mind, however, that the height of de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), these features are magnified ten-fold to enhance them for surveyed the same area using a later generation of study. bathymetric multibeam scan technology, thereby acquiring data that provided greater resolution of the ocean floor.5 (Bathymetric multibeam technology uses a sonar device that emits fan-shaped pulses down toward the seafloor across a wide angle that is perpendicular to the path of the sensor as it moves through the water.) In July of 2004, Sarmast contacted a principal investigator at IFREMER for permission to access their more definitive data (along with their much better navigational information), and requested data for an area fifteen nautical miles square around the mound in the center of Figure 4.

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 36 Figure 5. Enlarged Scotia Group image, facing south, showing the formations cannot be of natural origin. As noted, no other central mound and a narrow, regular, linear Y-formation.It should be formations in the entire area resembled those of the two noted that this 3-D representation exaggerates heights by a factor of ridges. ten for contrast, because that was the way the IFREMER data were The tracks along which the side-scan sonar traces received. (Courtesy of Robert Sarmast with Scotia Group imagery from were recorded over the ridges and central mound were the IFREMER scans) documented in Figure 7 by team member Axel Schoeller. The information from the IFREMER multibeam sonar Schoeller first laid grid lines along an axis of our intended scans provided excellent orientation for Sarmast’s first courses over the central mound. The base line for the expedition in November of 2004, offering precise latitude ridges was labeled “Wall 1” and a parallel scan line to the and longitude coordinates for specific points on the major north was labeled “1-175” indicating it was 175 meters features to be studied. With such accurate coordinates it distant from the “Wall 1” line. The use of a minus sign in was possible to obtain useful side-scan images of the central the figure means “north of” Wall 1, while the plus sign for mound and the linear ridges. scans on the central mount indicates “south of” a datum The ship used for the 2004 expedition was the mark (not shown on the chart because it is off the north motor vessel (M/V) Flying Enterprise. Captain Duncan end of the chart) by the number of meters from that datum MacKenzie, a husky South African with years of sea point indicated by the numbers following the “3+.” service, was the ship’s master for this voyage. Given my decades of previous experience with research and commercial voyages of this kind, I was in the role of expedition leader. The ship was perfectly suited for our purpose; in fact it qualifies as a medium-size research vessel with winches, cranes, and an A-frame for the deployment of our underwater probe attached to a coaxial cable.

Figure 7. Tracks along which the side-scan traces were recorded in the 2004 Expedition. (Courtesy of Axel Schoeller as adapted by the author)

The images produced by the side-scan sonar lines in Figure 6. The Motor Vessel Flying Enterprise converted to a Figure 7 are associated with the same line number next Research Vessel. (Official Photo from EDT Towage and Salvage Co., Ltd to those images in Figure 8. They provided the historical Photo) first close look at the ridges and the summit of the central mound. The line numbers and the associated images will be The images acquired from the 2004 expedition using frequently referred to in the text that follows. the side-scan sonar provided the first close look at the ridges and the summit of the central mound as seen in Figure 5 above. In particular, these images offered more accurate measurements of the ridges, showing a uniform width of approximately 30 meters and a fairly constant gradient from west to east, descending from a height of 10 meters down to the seabed surface, as shown in Figure 11. These findings confirmed our hypothesis that these

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 37 Figure 10. An enhanced colorized version of the central mound and ridges. (A product of Vistapro from the images developed from IFREMER multibeam scans) Figure 8 The side-scan traces as they appeared when recorded on the 2004 expedition. (Courtesy of Robert Sarmast and Phoenix The Second Expedition in 2006 International) Robert Sarmast’s first expedition caught the attention The 3700-meter-long ridge formation first received of media around the world, including favorable coverage attention from Lowry in early September 2004 when the in CNN, the BBC, and ABC News. As a result of all of data from the R/V Le Suroît were obtained from IFREMER this positive publicity, the rights to a second expedition and sent to him. Except for Sarmast, no one prior to that were purchased in 2006 by The History Channel. They time reported any significance attached to that anomaly. funded and filmed an elaborate program that launched At first, Lowry was of the opinion that the slump on the Josh Bernstein’s popular 2007 series called Digging for face of the associated mound and the transverse ridges the Truth. The History Channel’s documentary about at the foot of the mound fit the classical depiction of a Sarmast’s second expedition is entitled: Atlantis–New natural slump—that is, the accumulation of material from Revelations. a landslide off the front side of the mound as seen in Figure The History Channel personnel did exhaustive 10. Later we will consider a much different interpretation research for the two-hour documentary. They covered all of these features that results from the data acquired in the the latest Atlantis theories in the program and disposed of 2006 expedition. alternate theories that had no merit regarding the location of Atlantis. The primetime program first aired in January 2007 and it especially highlighted the work of Sarmast and his team.

Figure 9. A projection facing east (utilizing side-scan data 1-175) that depicts one of the two narrow, regular ridge formations closest to the central mound. Notice the almost right angle turn of the ridge and its uniform linearity. (Courtesy of Robert Sarmast with Scotia Group imagery from Phoenix International side scan data) Figure 11 The Motor Tugboat EDT Argonaut converted to a Research Vessel. (Photo by Robert Sarmast

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 38 Notwithstanding his lack of experience, Sarmast made would have made it possible to anticipate the required the executive decision that he would be expedition leader depth changes of the towfish as it traversed the irregular in 2006. The ship used for that expedition was the 41 meter sea bottom. But as fate would have it, we suffered several long M/T EDT Argonaut (Figure 11) operated by EDT highly disruptive technical problems during the 2006 Towage and Salvage Co., our previous provider based in expedition. And they were not amenable to emergency Limassol, Cyprus.6 This time, more advanced equipment repair as in the previous expedition, when we had serious was used in addition to side-scan sonar, most notably a problems because of a heavy rain squall on the first day. sub-bottom profiler (SBP)—an instrument that uses echo The first of the problems in the 2006 effort was very sounding, like sonar, to map the strata as deep as 30 meters distressing. Shortly after the towfish was launched, the below the surface of the sea bed. Another instrument signal suddenly stopped transmitting. The crew had no known as a depth sounder, which is crucial for guiding the choice but to retrieve the towfish to find out why. The towfish, was also on board. Only five tracks were planned expedition team was soon able to determine that, due to for the 2006 expedition, as shown in Figure 12. The plan operator error, the paying out of the coaxial cable took was to crisscross as much as the area as possible with both place at an excessive rate of speed. This careless method of side-scan and SBP during the 72 hours that were allotted deployment of the tow fish resulted in knots in the cable, for the trip. The first and longest line was designed to and even snapped the internal wiring. About five hours and capture the cross section of both branches of the ridges and 50 meters of cable were lost. the central mound. Additional operator error as well as equipment failure resulted in the loss of even more data and valuable time during the succeeding attempts to survey along Line 1. In fact, the problem of equipment failure was alone debilitating. At the end of the voyage, Lowry reported that two vital instruments were never operational during the entire trip, namely: (1) the Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) responder that locates the position of the towfish and adjusts for its GPS position, and (2) the depth sounder which measures the distance between the keel of the ship and the sea bottom below. Without those instruments it becomes extremely difficult to anticipate the optimum Figure 12. The five tracks planned for the 2006 expedition. The depth of the towfish because the operator is unable to longest, heaviest line (Line 1) crossed both branches of the narrow, determine the GPS position of the towfish along the track regular, linear Y-formation as well as the hill. Because of serious technical line. problems during the expedition, Line 1 was the only line that was actually The beam that emanates from the SBP and penetrates surveyed. Notice the inserted chart in the upper right, which we return the sea floor is only about three degrees wide. One of its to later.. (Photo by Axel Schoeller) functions is to average the data received as the tow fish proceeds along its path. The detailed images from the SBP Unlike the tracks surveyed during the 2004 expedition, data are of the greatest definition when the tow fish is as the first line in 2006 was designed to create a cross- close as possible to the submerged target of interest. With sectional view of the ridges and the hill, intersecting them the depth sounder inoperative, it became very difficult for at nearly a ninety degree right-angle. In 2004, the lines the technicians who were operating the towfish to closely went parallel to the hill and the ridges so that the towfish skim the bottom. If the towfish were too high above the depth would require only small changes during the survey bottom, the three degree beam would cover such a large of each line. We felt in 2004 that it was too risky, due to area that it would provide little or no definition as it the uneven terrain, to require the constant change of the averages everything below it that the beam reaches. On tow fish’s depth. (See the inset in Figure 12 above and the other hand, if the towfish were too close to the target, Figure 19 below for changes in elevation along Line 1 in it would be in danger of striking the bottom, providing the 2006 expedition.) But with the towfish streaming about no data at all and causing damage to the tow fish and the a mile astern in the 2006 effort, the ship’s depth sounder cable. Without anticipating the depth at which the towfish should be operated at any given moment, I surmise that it

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 39 was sheer luck that the one image we have of a ridge was sectional look at the ridge closest to the central mound. captured along Line 1. It also appears, after the fact, that (Recall that the SBP can trace features up to 30 meters the towfish may have collided with the outer ridge along below the surface.) Line 1 which resulted in a loss of signal during its transit Figure 13 .(opposite) The cross-section of the ridge closest to the of that ridge. To make matters worse, the exact location central mound returned in 2006 by the SBP data. Shown also are the of the image that was captured remains unknown because lines of continuous stratum of the ridge formation as drawn by marine the USBL was inoperative. Fortunately, we had a means of geologist Patrick Lowry. estimating the positions of the towfish as it crossed the two (Courtesy of Patrick Lowry from Seatronics SBP scan) ridges along Line 1. Sailing with key equipment inoperative is attributable When the images were received, Lowry drew in the to faulty installation by the charterer, EDT Towage and lines of each continuous stratum in different colors as Salvage Co., Ltd. In a case like this, as in the 2004 voyage, seen in Figure 13. In his final conclusion, provided on site this expedition should have been declared “off hire” and during the filming of the expedition, he concluded that the contract time for the charter suspended until the the ridges were natural formations. He stated on camera in deficiencies were corrected. Unfortunately, the USBL The History Channel documentary that the ridges were not responder and the depth sounder could not be tested in influenced by man, and concluded that: “Those ridges are port prior to getting underway; they were discovered to be cored by something natural, not manmade.”7 His analysis, inoperative only after having put to sea. An USBL can only and the way it was framed in the closing moments of the be tested when the tow fish is deployed in the water, and documentary, seemed to set to rest the hypothesis that the harbor is too shallow to test the depth sounder. Given the ridges were the consequence of human engineering. this dilemma, it is also unfortunate that the expedition Lowry’s conclusion has gone unchallenged until the new leader, Robert Sarmast, made the decision to not go “off interpretation I will now provide. hire” and return to port for repairs. As a result of Sarmast’s decision, the time charter came Questioning the Results of the 2006 Expedition to an end without having corrected the serious technical Lowry’s assessment that the linear ridges were, in effect, problems, and only a partially successful attempt to survey only the natural result of a geological upward thrust still Line 1 had been completed by the close of the expedition. leaves us with crucial unanswered questions. The following Fortunately, SPB data for one of the two ridges had been list arises when one closely observes the ridges, the mound, obtained, and we will now turn to an analysis of that and other previously obtained images of various features image. that we will soon examine in detail: Previous to the 2006 expedition, the face of the mound 1. What combination of events and forces caused these with its obvious main and minor scarps—as well as the up-thrust ridges to appear so uniformly linear over several transverse ridges associated with it—gave the appearance thousand meters? Why are they so well-shaped, as if they of a natural slump had direction and purpose? or landslide, as we 2. Further, why are these ridges so unique in this entire noted in Figure 10. region? But significantly, 3. Is there any evidence that the formation of the the main result of ridges, now covered in silt, was ever influenced by human the 2006 expedition activities? dispels that idea—at 4. Is the nature of the slump on the face of the mound least according to my typical of the effect produced by a natural landslide? Or reading of the data might it be further evidence of human activity? that resulted from 5. Is there any location in this region that may indicate the one and only line the source of material for brick making? Is there any of SBP data we had evidence of artifacts remaining that were constructed of acquired along Line brick? 1. The SBP image in Figure 13 provides Our crucial premise has been that Malovitskiy’s an excellent cross- Continent sunk in relatively recent times. If we can

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 40 reasonable: There must have been resisting forces acting in the opposite direction that caused formation of the unusual ridges. In fact, according to statements made by Patrick Lowry in the documentary, the ridge seen in Figure 13 confirms the presence of strong up-thrusting forces, Figure 14. Deflected presumably during the sinking of the land, but conceivably strata due to also sometime after. In Figure 13 that is reproduced at the a well-defined top of Figure 14, Lowry’s tracings of strata lines in various impediment. colors of ink shows how the strata had welled up. (Please (Courtesy of see color versions of all images at www.edenatlantisproject. Patrick Lowry org.) from Seatronics Aside from the aforementioned characteristics SBP scan and displayed by the ridges, when viewed in cross section, author) there is an additional anomaly apparent in this cross- sectional image: An unlikely change in the direction of the concavity in Lowry’s colored strata lines can be seen near the center of the ridge (in the upper image in Figure 14.) This change should have alerted him to an unexpected variance in the process of the formation of the ridge. Let accept that premise, then the discovery of well-engineered me to put it this way: If the up-thrust forces were acting structures on the ocean bottom would lead one to wonder only in an unimpeded natural seismic event, the strata lines whether Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent really does fit probably would have been uniformly concave downward. with the old myths about Atlantis or Eden. In other words, But they are not. The direction of the strata changes from we logically come face-to-face with the ultimate question, an expected concave downward to concave upward near the one that subsumes the more specific questions above: the center of the lines drawn, and then returns to concave Are the ridges and mound we see at this location purely downward. To my mind, we can examine the strata a creation of nature according to the claim of Lowry, or immediately below the downward deflection, and perhaps was their formation somehow influenced by unknown the reason for the deflection might become apparent. indigenous people who occupied the land when it was a Now, let’s examine the illustration at the bottom of verdant peninsula? Figure14. Note that I have added four brighter strata lines Let us return to the image returned by the SBP below the deflected strata drawn by Lowry and I have as shown in Figure 13. As noted, their appearance of juxtaposed my new version of the image with Lowry’s continuity, gradient, linearity, and the lack of any other earlier work on the same image just above it. The additional formations like them in the surrounding area, leads to lines reveal a telltale anomaly: They clearly indicate a the notion that humans were involved in their creation. well-defined impediment to the up-thrusting ridge. These Unfortunately, none of these observations constitute additional lines show the location and size of the implied sufficient proof by themselves, although they do point to resistance, as indicated by the white arrow. Also note that the need for further analysis. this variance appears about 15 meters below the top of the Let’s turn back for clues to what the Urantia text states silt-covered ridge. This is significant, because according to about this area: “…in connection with the violent activity Hall’s report cited earlier: “…the probing since the 1970s of the surrounding volcanoes and the submergence of has shown that the basin is filled with a great quantity of the Sicilian land bridge to Africa, the eastern floor of sediments (12 meters or more)…” the Mediterranean Sea sank, carrying down beneath the These observations have led me to a new hypothesis waters the whole of the Edenic peninsula ”. [73:7.1] (P. 826-7) about the nature of the impediment and how it can be If indeed Malovitskiy’s continent sank to its present level interpreted within the context of a discussion of the in this or in some other manner (such as that suggested by purpose, direction, position, length, breadth, and height of Plato), we can be sure that in calculable subducting forces the ridges. caused the catastrophic collapse and descent of the land. At the same time, a second and related inference is quite

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 41 subterranean material. The upwelling along sections of this A Revealing New Interpretation of the Ridges excavation may have continued until the energy dissipated Can it really be true that this sunken land that sits or the conduit disappeared sufficiently below the surface one mile down was once inhabited by an advanced but due to its gradient. In either event, there is no visible pre-historic civilization? To answer this crucial question, indication that the up-thrust continued farther to the east we will need to examine any and all evidence of artifacts or the west beyond what we can see in the images. indicating the presence of human engineering. Once the work of digging canal-like ditches was in We can start with the aforementioned fact that the progress, we can speculate that the fabrication of bricks Y-formation of ridges is unnaturally straight and narrow was a primary requirement, whether molded at a quarry or over a very long distance and that there is no other manufactured somewhere in the area. Possible quarry sites natural formation of this type in the area. Because of their have been identified on the sunken continent at various anomalous features, it follows that these ridges could very stages of this study and will be discussed later. well be the result of a fairly sophisticated engineering effort. The two visually striking branches of the system that In particular, the regular width and gradually diminishing we see in Figure 10 rising from the basin’s surface come height of the ridges point to a “surgical” removal of the together in a “Y” formation at the base of the mound. The earth’s crust along the ridges’ path. Further, I argue that two ridges meet a tan acute angle in the “Y” formation in the amount of earth removed must have been sufficient to such a way that, I believe, the effluent could commingle permit the up-thrust forces to break through the crust and and flow easily toward a terminus. erupt into their present state of uniform width and height During the sinking process of the floor and the upward and long, straight extension. heaving of material through the ditches, it may be that The simplest form of construction to accommodate the conduit was crushed. But even if some or all of it were that effect is, I believe, a uniformly dug ditch. This trench crushed, the deflection of Lowry’s lines of strata in Figures would need to be of sufficient width and depth to enable 13 and 14 nevertheless would be unaffected because the the up-thrust forces to break through the earth’s crust. building material would have been much denser than that This interpretation points to a rather mundane but very of the surrounding dirt. distinctive form of human engineering: the aforementioned To further support this observation, there is additional “covered brick-conduit disposal system” that the Urantia evidence in the images from the SBP. The black stratum text describes as part of the infrastructure of the Edenic line at the bottom of the ditch, which is collinear with the civilization. We are told that this conduit was created bright line I added (just above the tip of the white arrow for the health and welfare of the population as a sewage probably reveals the location of the base of the conduit drainage system. system. It is of such dense material that the energy from We can infer that the construction of such a conduit the probing sonic beam was unable to completely penetrate system required some civil engineering far in advance for and record the strata immediately below. There appears to its time. In order to prepare for building a subterranean be a notable attenuation of the SBP signal below the bright conduit, not only would a ditch have to be dug, but also a red line representing the bottom or crushed remains of the footing would have to be created. The ditch would have to conduit. Also note that below that line, the strata are fairly be of sufficient depth and width to accommodate a brick uniformly concave downward in the up-thrust, which is the structure with working room for its construction. At first how the upper portion would appear had it not been for the glance, it would probably look as if these ancient residents denser impediment to the rising material. were building a canal, but unlike a canal, it would have If we combine the evidence of the top-down images to be constructed with sufficient gradient to permit a flow of the ridges in Figure 5 with the cross-sectional images from its origins to its terminus. The width and depth of this of the up-thrusts in Figure 14, we can make a prima facie canal-like ditch would likely be uniform, and one can only case for the existence of the conduit system. If these are, imagine the primitive way in which earth was removed to indeed, identifiable archaeological features on Malovitskiy’s create such a major undertaking. In terms of geology, the Sunken Continent, the Eden-Atlantis legend may finally significant point here is that there would be just enough have a venue in prehistory on which to base future etching of the earth’s crust by the uniformly dug ditches to research. Unfortunately, the venue is not on dry land as permit an upward release of material through this narrow, we wish it could be. Nevertheless, the 2006 expedition man-made channel caused by the force of the up-thrusting yielded sufficient evidence to consider the ridges to be a

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 42 conduit system. When we combine this with our other sources, I believe the case can be made for that of working subterranean brick conduits. This engineered artifact could very well be the oldest major remnant of any civilization on earth.

A New Interpretation of the Mound The case for the engineered subterranean conduit system alone could well be enough evidence to support the hypothesis that an advanced civilization lived on the surface of Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent when it was a dry peninsula. But the mound can offer even more evidence I offer an alternative explanation for this anomalous of human involvement. hill: I contend that this feature is evidence of a ceremonial Recall that Lowry had offered the opinion in 2004 that mound. Archaeologists and anthropologists have long the slump on the face of the mound and the transverse known that the building of ceremonial mounds by ridges at the foot of the mound, when taken together, fit indigenous people all over the world often entails some the classical depiction of a natural slump—a landslide. He form of earthwork enhancement of natural hills. (In the gave no further explanation of the slump on camera at the more advanced versions of such ceremonial platforms, they end of the 2006 expedition. But the evidence I have now build actual pyramids or ziggurats from stone, erecting offered may be a game changer. My improved description them from the ground up.) Often, such an earthen of the nature of the ridges’ seismic up-thrusts based on enhancement to a natural hill is intended to give these empirical evidence allows us to logically separate the ridges early peoples an elevated surface for holding gatherings and the slump into distinct features that are independent and rituals; in other cases, elaborate mounds encompass of each other. Separating these two features invites us to burial sites. With sufficient material and an abundance of look elsewhere for an explanation of the true nature of labor, an ordinary hill can be turned into ceremonial site the mound. A closer look at the slump on the face of the by squaring up its sides and extending the length of the mound as seen in Figures 5 and 10 reveals that it lacks the elevated section in one or both directions. classic features of a landslide as shown below in Figure 15 As the millennia go by, seismic events or flooding (top image). On our mound (bottom image) we observe no and erosion can obviously lead to the disintegration of foot, no cracks, and no discernible surface of rupture or an enhanced ceremonial mound. Logically, earthwork separation. The only visible parts of this slump are, in my enlargement erected around a natural hill would be first estimation, the crown, the main scarp, and the two minor of its features to falter. Bear in mind that the height of all scarps. Also, the ridges as a whole are unlike the classic the images shown here is exaggerated by a factor of ten, so transverse ridges of a typical landslide. the actual amount of material involved is considerably less than suggested by those exaggerated images. At the correct Figure 15. A comparison of features of a classic landslide with the scale, the slump on this hill would be hardly more than a enlarged image of the mound. (The image depicting the parts of a typical crumbled man-made dirt façade, the remnants of mound- landslide is provided online by the U.S. Geological Survey.) building activity—the simple artifact to which The Urantia Book refers in Paper 73. An important alternate description of this feature, or what Plato called “Acropolis Hill,” can be found in the Critias (112): “The layout of the city was as follows: The Acropolis was different from what it is now. Today it is quite bare of soil which was all washed away in one appalling night of flood, by a combination of earthquakes and the third terrible deluge…Before that, in earlier days… it was covered with soil and for the most part level.” Here Plato also reports that there was a mound “of no great size” that was for the most part level at the top, but that the part

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 43 covered up with soil (presumably by the inhabitants), was Figure 18 (opposite) easternmost (leftmost) circular arcs in Figure eventually reduced by earthquakes and washed away by 17. (Composite by author from side-scan images:3+2975, 3+3150 and floods. 3+3325) Plus, other curiosities can be found on (what we have taken to be) the enlarged man-made platform at the top Circular arcs on the top of the mound in the IFREMER of the mound. The IFREMER bathymetric scans suggest scans are somewhat discernible in Figure 17 (top image). an interesting anomaly: what appears to be three coplanar, The side-scan sonar images from the 2004 expedition collinear, circular segments—that is, three circular features hundreds of feet across of nearly equal size that are directly adjacent to one another. This feature, if it is truly present, sharply differentiates the central mound from the mud volcanoes that dot this landscape. Mud volcanoes in the area have a single depression in the center of their cones. In addition, they do not cluster in groups to form uniformly continuous tabular mounds as shown here and in Figure 4. tempt us to think that these are due to actual physical circular features around the summit as seen in the bottom Figure 17. The IFREMER multibeam image of the summit of the image. That the circumference of some of these circles mound (see first figure above), if overlayed with side-scan images of the extends beyond the remains of the platform in some places mound, can be combined to show mysterious physical circular segments suggests that the natural surface of the top of the hill had if the side-scan images are enlarged to the proper scale. been enlarged to accommodate each fully circular feature, (Courtesy of Robert Sarmastand IFREMER. Composite by author) after which the enhanced area fell away. Additional studies are essential to establish the true nature of these circular features. Certainly modern technology is poised to thoroughly investigate those features.

The Great River and the South Side of the Mound One of the byproducts of the SBP scan is a graph compiled during the 2006 expedition called the “Path Profile.” It shows the elevation of the sea bed during the transit along Line 1.This gives us a picture of the south side of the central mound (the right hand side of Figure 21) and reveals a much smaller scarp at the -1500 meter level. Its cause may be the same as that on the north side: the dramatic shifting of the tectonic plates and all that followed. A major feature at the foot of the south side of the mound is a deep concave depression below the -1600 meter level in Figure 20.In studying Figure 4, there is an obvious line of what appears to be a river bank on the south side of the mound that extends left to right for thousands of meters in both directions. An examination of the IFREMER bathymetric scans throughout the area yields no similar feature that could be interpreted as a continuous river bank. And, the literature about this peninsula leaves no doubt that an important river meandered through the land, as I recount below.

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 44 Figure 19. A closer look at the insert in Figure 12. The Path Profile Not only do we find a river mentioned in Enki and the compiled during the scan of Line 1 shows features from left to right of World Order and the Bible, but also in the Urantia text: the two ridges, the main scarp, the top of the hill and a slight scarp on The coast line of this land mass was considerably elevated, the back of the hill (-1500m) ending with the lowest point, probably a river and the neck connecting with the mainland was only twenty- bed bottom (below -1600 m). [South is to the right.] seven miles wide at the narrowest point . The great river that (Photo by Axel Schoeller) watered the Garden came down from the higher lands of the peninsula and flowed east through the peninsular neck to the First of all, let’s turn to Sumerian writings. In Enki mainland and thence across the lowlands of Mesopotamia and the New World Order we are told that one of the ways to the sea beyond . It was fed by four tributaries which took Lord Enki got around his island paradise was by water. origin in the coastal hills of the Edenic peninsula, and these are His mode of transportation is by an oar-propelled barge, the “four heads” of the river which “went out of Eden,” and which is evidently capable of navigating the river as well which later became confused with the branches of the rivers as a complex of canals and smaller waterways in the great surrounding the second garden . [73.3.4] (P. 823) marshes. The distance from the central mount to the coast of Next, the Bible prominently mention a river associated Syria is about fifty miles. At sometime in the distant past, with the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:10: “Now a river Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent was presumably higher in flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it elevation than the Syrian coast so that the great river could divided and became four rivers.” The prophet Ezekiel also flow in an easterly direction, according to all accounts. spoke of seeing a river flowing from below the Temple in As the African plate was subducting under the Anatolian a vision, which happens to coincide with the location I plate, the whole of the Garden of Eden (or Atlantis if you propose—below the mound: prefer) sank, and the shore of Syria rose. At some point in “The man brought me back to the entrance to the this process, part of the river must have reversed it course temple, and I saw water coming out from under the and begun to flow back into the Mediterranean. That threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple part of the river still remains today in the same place in faced east). The water was coming down from under Syria and still retains its name of old, the Kabir River or the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then translated: the “Great River.” brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was The Brick Builders of Malovitskiy’s Sunken tricking from the south side.” (Ezekiel 47:1-2 NIV) Continent Figure 20. (opposite) The great river that flowed “East of Eden” It must have been the case that the occupants of through the “peninsular neck” to the mainland and thence across the Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent were master builders with lowlands of Mesopotamia to the sea beyond. (Described in Ezekiel 47:1-2 bricks. In Enki and the World Order, the master brick and The Urantia Book. From the author’s collection) maker was revealed as Kulla and the master builder was called Mucdama; this text also gives the impression that these people had building methods that are in use today. We also saw that according to the Urantia account, bricks were used in numerous ways, as follows:

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 45 Before the disruption of the Adamic regime, a covered Figure 21.A close look at a possible quarry site north of the central brick-conduit disposal system had been constructed which ran mound. (From IFREMER scan data and Scotia Group imagery) beneath the walls and emptied into the river of Eden almost a mile beyond the outer or lesser wall of the Garden . [73.5.4] (P. Why, you may ask, do I pursue this issue of brick 825) making in such detail? Because a survey of the area in the The first task was the building of the brick wall across IFREMER bathymetric scans to the north-north-east of the neck of the peninsula . This once completed, the real work the central mound reveals an interesting discovery at some of landscape beautification and home building could proceed distance from the peninsula’s center. Here we see a large unhindered . [73.4.1] (P. 823) area, apparently excavated from the side of a hill, that At the time of Adam’s arrival, though the Garden was displays two angular sides at virtual right angles to one only one-fourth finished, it had thousands of miles of irrigation another. I believe this gives the appearance of a quarry. ditches and more than twelve thousand miles of paved paths (See Figure 21.) This area was far enough removed from and roads . There were a trifle over five thousand brick what we believe were the residential, ceremonial, and buildings in the various sectors, and the trees and plants were agricultural areas of Eden so as not to interfere with those almost beyond number . [73.5.2] (P. 824) functions. Unfortunately, the site in Figure 21 was not visited during either of the 2004 and the 2006 expeditions, The number of bricks required in this account reaches but should be one of the targets of a third expedition. astronomical figures. We are told that the Edenites built houses, roads, sewer conduits, and temples with brick, and Final Thoughts and Conclusions even built two 27-mile-long brick walls at the Garden’s Imagine hovering over a verdant and spacious entrance (containing the so-called twelve gates of Eden). peninsula that juts out into the eastern Mediterranean. Looking down, you see thousands of brick homes and miles of roads crisscrossing a spacious plain that is spread out in front of high mountains. Workers are manufacturing bricks, and others are using kiln-fired bricks to build even more roads and homes, while others are caring for animals and vast gardens or engaged in other communal activities. You can also see the central mount, which is studded with circular shrines and encircled by moats. As you peer out over the vast stretches of the plain, you can see its spider web of canals and ditches, including evidence of a largely underground conduit for a sewage system. You also observe a great tree-lined river flowing just behind the central mount. It is feeding several tributaries and canals and is busy with boats and barges that are engaged in commence Other uses of bricks are suggested in Enki and the World or recreation as it flows over the horizon to the distant Order for the building of waterways, irrigation ditches, and Persian Gulf. controlling dikes. I offer this vision, based on The Urantia Book’s The staggering number of bricks that would be descriptions and other ancient writings, of Eden, for your required for such an undertaking would require a fairly inspiration. One can fill in many more details from the large industrial area for extracting brick making material, Urantia account. But for now, we have very basic but rather presumably clay, for their manufacture. Consider in this exciting archeological work to do in a third expedition. connection the evolution of brick making from the simple Perhaps our first step is to consider the idea that mud brick to the kiln-fired brick. Firing the bricks made the ridges, the visible evidence of the proposed brick them water resistant so they could be used for waterways, conduit system that we have examined, are only a small and this must have been the case in the Urantia version of part of a larger network. In fact, remnants of a system Eden. with interconnected conduits may still be in existence throughout Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent. If we continue to follow The Urantia Book’s account, we could extrapolate

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 46 the path of the main conduit by drawing a straight line in Much to his credit, Robert Sarmast did initiate two a northeastly direction. We’ve noted that his would lead elaborate expeditions and did an extensive study to justify to the conduit’s terminus miles away, somewhere near the why Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent is the only logical Kabir River in Syria. If all of this is on the right track, place for the origins of the Eden-Atlantis story. In both there is an abundance of work to be accomplished in order of his editions of The Discovery of Atlantis, he analyses to find other segments and develop a map of the conduit’s a plethora of ancient writings and contemporary research path. Extensive SBP surveys will be required to carry out to show a one-to-one correspondence between what was this part of the research for the new expedition to come. present in that area long ago with Plato’s account of what Another early step is to solve the nagging puzzle as was there. As noted, Sarmast identified nearly 50 “clues” to why the conduit system appears only at the foot of the offered by Plato about the characteristics of Atlantis and mound. One explanation might be that the weight and showed that almost all of them can be linked to Cyprus or mass of the mound, during the sinking of the land, created to the sunken continent that we explored. an additional dynamic of upward subterranean pressure in While on camera during the expedition in 2006, its immediate vicinity. As the mound settled deeper into Sarmast and Lowry, unfortunately, were unable to make the landscape with great force, presumably there would be the case for the man-made remains of an extraordinary a somewhat greater up-thrust around its base. To illustrate civilization. The analysis in this essay, taken together with this effect, picture pushing your hand down in a pan full of the literary work of Sarmast and others, is intended to close mud with a steady pressure and observing the mud oozing that gap by giving a revised and more accurate geophysical between your fingers. study of Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent. It is amazing Remember that by all accounts, this area suffered that humankind’s picture of this civilization shows up in devastating wars in which the remains of a great civilization stories that are thousands of years apart and in civilizations were destroyed. Then, by happenstance, it eventually sank that span the globe: Enki and the World Order(over 5,000 into the sea. It is unlikely however that invaders would have years ago), Vishnu Purana, a Sanskrit text (over 4,000 years taken the time, or made the effort, to tear up a drainage ago), Moses’ story in the Bible (over 3,400 years ago), Plato’s system, or fill in a quarry or remove the earthworks of an story of Atlantis as received from Solon (over 2,400 years enlarged central mound to simply conceal its history. In ago), Manetho of Sebennytos translated Egyptian king’s addition, we can expect that artifacts other than those list (2,250 years ago), Ignatius Donnelly’s Atlantis: The gross features identified in this paper will also be found that Antediluvian World (120 years ago), and The Urantia Book would not have been carried off by the warring parties or (63 years ago). Yet, this essay only scratches the surface of destroyed by seismic activity. the evidence we now have of relatively advanced prehistoric Even before the physical evidence described in this cultures. essay was analyzed, Sarmast and others had suggested Plans for the third expedition include many additional that Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent is the true location side-scan and SBP surveys. It should also involve probing of Atlantis as described in Plato’s dialogs in the Critias the area with a coring device to retrieve samples below the and the Timaeus. But I have taken the additional step silt, and maybe a visit with a specialized submarine. The of following up on Sarmast’s undisclosed source, and search for possible ruins on the tabular mound should also have suggested that it is also the land that was once the be under consideration for an expedition to this place. The biblical Garden of Eden or the so-called First Garden of plans for a new expedition also could include a submersible Eden revealed in The Urantia Book. Others, such as the remote operating vehicle (ROV) to examine other sites controversial Ignatius Donnelly, also suggested it could on Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent with even more be both Eden and Atlantis—even without the benefit of sophisticated equipment. So far, this location seems to be knowing about Malovitskiy’s Sunken Continent. Writing in the best bet for the Edenic-Atlantean myths of old. Only his classic 1882 book, Atlantis: The Antediluvian World, he through future expeditions will this hypothesis about an states “…the conclusion becomes irresistible that Atlantis undiscovered archaeological treasure trove of this mythical and the Garden of Eden were one and the same.”8 He also land be validated, once and for all. stated that Atlantis “is not, as has been long supposed, a fable, but veritable history.” For our purposes here it can suffice to call it “Malovitskiy’sSunken Continent”—the likely original home of some or all these legends and myths.

Summer 2018 • The Fellowship Herald • 47 References Commodore Robert 1 Sutcliffe, Theodora, “When Neanderthals Replaced Stanley Bates, Us,” Discover (June 2016), 64-66. (USMM), BS, MS 2 Hall, John K.; Krašeninnikov, Valerij A.; Hirsch, Commodore Bates Francis; Benjamini, Chaim; Flexer, Akiva: Introduction to is a 1960 graduate Part III–Geological Framework of the Levant (Geological from the United States Survey Of Israel, 2005). Coast Guard Academy 3 Ya’akov Petrovitch Malovitskiy (1932–2002) is and served the next 22 eulogized in Ya’akov Malovitskiy, Scientist and Man (by years as a career officer G. S. Struzhnok) as a remarkable geologist of Russia and which included a tour the Soviet Union who enriched our knowledge of the in Vietnam . In 1969, he inner structure of the planet with expertise in geophysics, earned a masters degree oceanography, mineralogy and other scientific disciplines. in mathematics at the (Russian Geological Society: Geologists in Russia, 25th University of Rhode Edition, Moscow 2012,pp340-351) Island . Upon retirement from the Coast Guard in 1982, he 4 Sarmast, Robert, The Discovery of Atlantis: The sat for his unlimited master’s license and commenced a second Startling Case for the Island of Cyprus (Origin Press 2003, career in the U S. . Merchant Marine . He participated in the and First Source Publications, 2006). Cold War as captain on Ocean Surveillance Vessels and 5 It should be note that Sarmast’s request used captain on a survey ship during Operation Desert Storm in coordinates centered at 34° 51’ N, 35° 01’ E for the area he the Persian Gulf . During the following nine years, he served wanted to study. as captain on board the University of Rhode Island R/V 6The scientific equipment on R/V Argonaut was as ENDEAVOR and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute follows: The instrumentation consisted of the Edgetech Full R/V OCEANUS for numerous sub-sea projects . Between Spectrum combined side-scan sonar/sub-bottom profiler tours at sea, he served on the adjunct faculty at the University (3,000 meter depth rated) with underwater full spectrum of Connecticut, Avery Point Campus, the United States Coast chirp processor, wide band dual frequency side-scan Guard Academy and the STAR Center in Florida . In 2004, (120/410 KHz), wideband sub-bottom profiler (2-16KHz), he was the expedition leader to the suspected site of Atlantis with an Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) responder to off the coast of Cyprus . In 2006 he was the consultant to The locate the position of the towfish. Processing was initially History Channel for the second expedition . Since 1988 he has available with a Coda DA200 Sonar Acquisition System authored numerous articles in a variety of periodicals . In 1995, combined with the Edgetech Interface, but was changed to he founded Batek Marine, a maritime consulting firm . In 2011, the “Discover” system shortly before sailing. Also available he published the book: The Authority to Sail: The History of was a DTS6000 deep-water drop camera system which was US Maritime Licenses and Documents . For more about his used in the last hours of the expedition. work on the Eden-Atlantis Project, go to: www Eden-Atlantis. . 7 The statement is made in the program Atlantis–New org . Revelations, The History Channel documentary in Josh Bernstein’s series: Digging for the Truth (JWM Productions, 2006). 8Donnelly Ignatius, Atlantis: The Antediluvian World (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1882) p 330. See www. sacred-texts.com/atl/ataw/index.htm for Public Domain copy.

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